image of a compass
NDI

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

June 26, 2008 — Vol. 1, Issue 9

an Iranian casts a ballot during a recent election

The Iran Election Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran.

— Sign up to receive the Iran Election Bulletin by email
— Print this issue of the Iran Election Bulletin
— Contact the editor

June, 26 2009

Volume 1, Issue 9
Leigh Catherine Miles, Editor | Geneive Abdo, Iran analyst
 

The Century Foundation

The Iran Election Bulletin is a joint publication of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and The Century Foundation.

Letter from the Editor

A note on this week’s issue of the Bulletin| Read more »

Feature Articles

In Wake of Protests, Khamenei Faces Split Inside Regime

The basij militias may have crushed the historic street protests against Iran’s election results, but Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei now faces a more pressing problem: how to prevent a potent coalition of political elites arrayed against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from destabilizing the entire Islamic political system – and undercutting his own power, too. | Read more »

Iranians cast ballots during the June 12 election

Resolving the Iranian Crisis Requires Honoring the People’s Will

Principles guiding fair elections apply to Iran through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the country is a party. Despite its international obligations, however, the Islamic Republic’s election system has major gaps that cause it to fall short of even minimum standards.

| Read more »

Voices from Iran

These stories are on-the-ground analyses and perspectives written by Iranian authors.

Regime Reacts Violently Against Protestors and Faces Uncertain Future

Nearly two weeks after the Ministry of Interior announced that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had won the June 12 presidential election in a landside, protests by angry voters who allege election fraud continue. According to official figures released through state run media, the violent use of force has left hundreds of protesters injured and tens of protesters dead, though the actual figures, many observers claim, are much higher.| Read more »

Baton Carriers

Next to protestors – both at home in Iran and abroad – are uniformed “baton carriers.”   Those in foreign countries are there to keep the peace and provide security for demonstrators. At home, our people are fearful – so much so that they pale and their legs shake, until they have to start running for their lives. | Read more »

A Green Revolution in the Making

The streets of Tehran rumbled late into the night with mostly pro-Mousavi chants, beeping car horns and the occasional group of teenagers performing a dance in the street.  In a city without nightclubs and bars, the streets of Tehran at night became the center for a unique mingling of politics and pleasure.   For the first time since the revolution, young people claimed the streets as their own and made them a public space for expression. | Read more »

Instead of Tears, Iran Cries Blood: This Is not a Joke Anymore!

These days, almost anyone who voted for change and reform has suffered some personal damage or demolition and when asked whom they suspect, they reply, “I suspect President Ahmadinejad’s vote.” | Read more »

Background

Iran 2009 Presidential Election Results

Vote totals broken down by province for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi from the Iranian government’s officially released data. (Will open in new window.) | Read more »

Diagram: The Balance of Power

A visual depiction of the structure of the Iranian leadership, illustrating the lines of authority among the Republic’s elected and unelected officials. (Will open in new window.) | Read more »

Past Editions

Pictured at the top: An Iranian protests in the street following the election. Photo Courtesy of Flickr User .faramarz
Pictured beneath: Iranians cast their ballots on June 12. Photo Courtesy of Flickr User Yahya Natanzi