A/HRC/19/82 reportedly warned that members of the Baha’i community who caused disruption in the country would be seriously dealt with.30 F. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of opinion and expression 25. In its third periodic report submitted to the Human Rights Committee, the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that “all institutions of Government arise from the will and direct or indirect vote of the people”.31 The State party stressed that the electoral system was in conformity with article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides for free and fair elections. The Committee, however, expressed its concern at both the registration requirements in election campaign32 and the right of the Guardian Council to reject parliamentary candidates.33 The eligibility of candidates is defined by the Guardian Council, which screens all candidates. There are persistent concerns that the vetting power of the Guardian Council reduces the space for those who wish to participate in political life and undermines the right of Iranian citizens to elect the candidates of their choice. Furthermore, the absence of women, Sunni Muslims and recognized religious minorities in this powerful institution appears to undermine the fairness and transparency of the process. 26. A total of 5,395 people, including 428 women, had signed up for the country’s ninth parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2 March 2012. When compared with the parliamentary elections of 2008, the number of registered candidates had dropped by 30 per cent, a fact that the authorities attributed to amendments made to the electoral law, such as the requirement that the candidate hold a master’s degree.34 The candidates registered and running for election included 260 currently sitting lawmakers. On 11 February 2012, the Guardian Council announced its approval of 3,400 candidates to run for the elections in March. Approved candidates had eight days to campaign, 35 which restricted their ability to present their policies and agendas to their constituents, and also limited voters’ access to the information necessary to be able to make an informed choice. 27. Authorities estimated the overall turnout at 64.2 per cent for the election held on 2 March, an increase in voter turnout of 10 per cent, over the previous parliamentary elections. Some 3,467 candidates reportedly competed in the election, and 48 million citizens were eligible to vote at more than 47,000 polling stations across the country. A total of 850,000 observers reportedly supervised the election process, and 13,000 local and 350 foreign reporters provided coverage. Serious concerns remain about the vetting of the candidates for the election.36 Initial reports indicated that between 30 and 50 currently serving members of the parliament, including Ali Motahari, a vocal critic of the 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 10 ISNA, 16 January 2012. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/newsView.aspx?ID=news1931423&Lang=P. CCPR/C/IRN/3, para. 6. According to the current electoral law, potential candidates for Parliament must hold Iranian nationality, be between 30 and 75 years of age, uphold the values of the Islamic Republic, have no criminal records, be of sound body and mind, hold a master’s degree, abide by the Constitution and show allegiance to the Constitution and Velayat-e faqih (Supreme Jurisprudence). CCPR/C/IRN/CO/3, para. 29. Nearly 7,600 people registered for the 2008 elections, of whom some 4,600 were cleared to run. The Minister for the Interior announced that the official campaign would start on 23 February and close on 1 March 2012. TehranTimes, 19 February 2012, available from www.tehrantimes.com/politics/95623-parliamentary-campaign-officially-starts-on-feb-23. See www.tehrantimes.com/politics/96069-majority-of-parliamentary-seats-decided.