Ahmadinejad disappearing soon and for the good of everyone

Iranian Presidential Election is this Friday. In a country where the political system is not fully transparent or seems to be working for most, this election is going to be one of those rare events where the Iranians may feel some hope and excitement at the thought of having their voices/frustrations heard and possibly having their votes counted.

Ahmadinejad has not only been a complete disaster for Iran, but also a huge embarrassment. I’m constantly amazed at all the idiotic statements made by him and his overall immaturity. I didn’t really see much good in him. Seems to me whatever he achieved in his two terms as President of Iran was wiped away at the end of his second term.

Moving on.

Eight candidates were originally competing in this election. Two had dropped out so far. Eventually, we will have the top two candidates squaring off. Most of the candidates are either conservatives or ultra-conservatives (hardliners/very pro Khamenei). Not surprising to see all the conservative candidates lined up as presidential candidates since the body that cleared the pathway for them is also very much conservative. The only reformist candidate in this election is Hassan Rowhani.

It’s too early to say how the election will shape up despite the fact that the election is merely three days away. A possibility is to have the hardliner’s votes split among all the candidates assuming no one candidate is going to drop off from the race. Right now, the Mayor of Tehran, Mohammed Baqir Qalibaf has a slight edge among all the candidates.

Even though the election outlook for Iranians is not looking very good, but I hope that the reformists would come out in drove and vote for Rowhani. It’s a shame that they have abandoned their reform movement/agenda for sometimes now. Iranians have to find a way out of their crippling political system/process, be less discouraged and more persistent.

References

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-10/rohani-picks-purple-to-lure-iran-s-disillusioned-voters.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_presidential_election,_2013

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21579041-eight-carefully-vetted-candidates-jockey-presidency-under-severe

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-06/11/c_132448462.htm