Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
2
PhD in Public Law, Faculty of Law, Theology and Islamic Studies, Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad, Iran.
3
PhD Student in Public Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
∴ Introduction ∴
Transparency is recognized as one of the indicators of qualified governance and constitutes an essential necessity for governments in nearly all aspects of administration. Consequently, transparency in the process of holding elections is crucial for conducting a healthy and just electoral process. The evaluation of transparency in elections must encompass both the observers and executors of the election, on one hand, and the election candidates, on the other. The General Policies of Elections (GPE), which functions as an upper-hand document in the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has illustrated the requirements for a transparent electoral system with the aim of improving the country's electoral system and achieving the desired favorable condition.
∴ Research Question ∴
This article is dedicated to answering the central research question: According to the General Policies of Elections, what are the weaknesses and gaps concerning transparency in the current legal regime governing the parliamentary elections and the solutions to reform it?. This inquiry focuses on measuring the current legal status against the standards set by the GPE.
∴ Research Hypothesis ∴
It is hypothesized that the existing legal regime governing parliamentary elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran exhibits significant gaps in implementing the mandates of the General Policies of Elections (GPE) related to transparency. These predicted deficiencies specifically involve the ambiguity of qualitative requirements for candidates, a lack of comprehensive legal measures ensuring the transparency of candidates’ assets, properties, and election costs, and insufficient mechanisms mandating clear, timely, and substantiated written accountability from supervisory and legal authorities regarding the approval or rejection of candidate qualifications.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴
The study utilizes a descriptive-analytical method to investigate the status of transparency in the legal regime governing parliamentary elections. The framework involves systematically examining the General Policies of Elections (GPE) and contrasting its requirements against the current legal status to identify weaknesses, gaps, and subsequently propose necessary reform solutions. The analysis covers transparency indicators related to the three primary actors: candidates, the executive branch (executor of elections), and the supervisory/legal authorities (e.g., the Guardian Council).
∴ Results & Discussion ∴
The research confirms several critical areas requiring legal reform to enhance transparency in the parliamentary elections, based on the GPE. Regarding candidates, the lawmaker must reduce the ambiguity of qualitative requirements for candidates (such as adherence to the Islamic Republic's foundations). Furthermore, the law must mandate that candidates’ assets, properties, and election costs be made transparent to all voters. Transparency related to campaign costs requires defining the legal limits and authorized sources of financing, including contributions from legal entities. Regarding the executive branch, clear and trustworthy frameworks must be employed in the process of voting and vote counting. To achieve maximum transparency, speed, and accuracy, the GPE mandates utilizing new technologies in election stages, provided the necessary infrastructure and clear regulations are established. Regarding supervisory and legal authorities, they must respond to inquiries about the approval or rejection of candidates’ qualifications in due course and without delay. This response must be written and substantiated with specific legal provisions and supporting evidence used to justify any rejection, thereby protecting the legal rights of the applicants and enhancing public confidence. Additionally, ensuring the presence of candidates or their representatives in all stages of the election is crucial for maintaining the public's confidence in the fairness and integrity of the process.
∴ Conclusion ∴
Transparency is identified as a fundamental index of a healthy electoral process. The research demonstrates that although the General Policies of Elections provides clear benchmarks, the existing legal framework governing parliamentary elections suffers from critical weaknesses, particularly concerning the necessary clarity in defining candidate qualifications and financial transparency. To remedy these issues and guarantee the rights of applicants and voters, essential reforms must be undertaken by the legislature to eliminate ambiguity in candidate criteria, mandate the disclosure of candidates' assets and campaign funding, employ transparent technological and systematic mechanisms for voting and counting, and enforce prompt, documented accountability from legal authorities during qualification reviews. These reforms are necessary steps toward achieving a more robust and favorable electoral condition.
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