President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Could you run for president in Iran?
Complete the sections to see if you qualify.
Campaign advice:
Nationality
What's your nationality?
Iranian
Other
Iranian
Other
As well as being Iranian, all the candidates for president are expected to be devoted to Islamic Republic of Iran and keen to make sacrifices for it. According to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, you will need to be 'tenacious and resistant to pressures from enemies.'
As with most states, the president of Iran must be Iranian. If you're really serious about this, you could try changing your passport.
Gender
Are you male or female?
Male
Female
Male
Female
Women have been elected to the parliament in Iran but the rules say that presidential candidates must be 'statesmen'. What's not clear is if this requirement is intended to exclude women. Thirty women registered to run for president this year but they were all disqualified. Whether this was because they weren't men is not known.
Are you sure you wouldn't rather run as a male candidate? Iran is one of the very few Muslim countries where gender reassignment is recognised by the state.
Religion
Which religion do you follow?
Islam
Other
None
Shia
Sunni
The population of Iran is more than 90% Shia and its elected leaders ultimately have to follow the Shia interpretations of Islamic law handed down by the Supreme Leader. There are very few Sunni public officials in office, even in regions where Sunnis are in the majority.
People are going to want to know which form of Islam you practice.
That's going to be a problem. Let's assume that you're willing to convert to Islam. Which form of Islam would it be?
Iranian revolution
Where do you stand on the 1979 revolution and the Islamic Republic?
Strongly pro
Pro with reservations
Strongly pro
Pro with reservations
There is little tolerance of views that criticise the Islamic Republic or its institutions. Public officials need to demonstrate their belief in the central values of the republic as established by Ayatollah Khomeini - who remains a key figure in Iranian politics even 20 years after his death.
The Guardian Council is probably looking for a slightly more committed stance.
Previous elections
The results of the 2009 election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were disputed by some. What are your feelings?
Fair election
Question the result
Fair election
Question the result
The results of 2009 election was disputed by all three of Mr Ahmadinejad's opponents and led to violent protest. Two opposition leaders were placed under house arrest and remain there today. Ruling conservatives reject any candidates who have indicated support for those protests, which may be the reason for disqualifying former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from this election.
President Ahmadinejad has said that his re-election was 'a great victory' and 'completely free'. I'm sure, on second thoughts, you agree.
Leadership issues
President Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader have had a few disagreements recently. Who has your support?
Supreme Leader
President Ahmadinejad
Supreme Leader
President Ahmadinejad
President Ahmadinejad's close ally, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, was banned from running this year in a move that may have been aimed at preventing a challenge to the power of the Supreme Leader. The list of candidates that have been approved suggests the establishment is determined to find an obedient president who won't stray off-message.
After the election Mr Ahmadinejad will be the former president. The Supreme Leader will still be the Supreme Leader. Does that help with your decision?
Congratulations!
Your views should endear you to the establishment. You can run for president. You are one of the lucky few: 686 candidates registered this year with only 8 approved.
Better luck next time
It seems you're not quite what the establishment is looking for. You're not on the ballot. You're in good company: 686 candidates registered this year with 678 rejected.
Start again