Iranian MPs seek legal action against Ahmadinejad for accompanying advisor to election registration

TEHRAN,May 14(MNA) – A number of Iranian MPs have written a letter to the Judiciary calling for legal action against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for accompanying his advisor, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, when he registered for the presidential election, saying it was a violation of the electoral law. The letter, which was signed by more than 150 MPs, stated that according to the electoral law, individuals with an official position are not allowed to take a stance for or against a candidate. On Saturday, Ahmadinejad accompanied Rahim Mashaei when he put his name forward at the election headquarters of the Interior Ministry. Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said on Sunday that the move violated the electoral law, adding that the facts would be reported to the Judiciary. However, the Presidential Office issued a statement on Monday dismissing the criticism and saying that the fact that Ahmadinejad accompanied Rahim Mashaei to the Interior Ministry was within his “freedom of opinion and personal attitude.” The statement also said that the law actually prohibits electoral officials from supporting a candidate during the official election campaign, after candidates are confirmed by the Guardian Council. And since the president himself is not an electoral official, his move did not constitute a violation of the law, the statement added. According to the Constitution, the Guardian Council, a 12-member body consisting of six law experts and six religious jurists, is tasked with vetting candidates and supervising elections.