Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26
By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:
The Iranian vetting body of the Guardian Council has disqualified Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, a grandson to late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to run for the election of the Assembly of Experts to be held in late February.
Meanwhile, the vetting body has qualified 37 candidates from Tehran Province including high-ranking officials such as President Hassan Rouhani as well as chairman of the Expediency Council, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, to run for the election to be held in 26 February, ILNA news agency reported.
The Assembly of Experts is comprised of 86 Islamic scholars (Mujtahids) who are elected by the public to eight-year terms. The Assembly of Experts is an influential body in charge of supervising the supreme leader and organizations under his direct control as well as electing a successor for him.
Reportedly Hassan Khomeini who teaches Islamic sciences at Qom Seminary School refused to attend a test hold by the conservative-dominated Guardian Council to qualify the applicants. However, sources close to the Hassan Khomeini who is backed by Iranian reformists said that he was not invited to take the test.
On Dec. 17, Iran started the nominee registration process for the upcoming election of the Assembly of Experts to be held in late February.
According to Iranian constitution those who wish to stand as candidates at the election of the assembly of Experts must be educated in Islam and capable of understanding Feqh (religious jurisprudence).