Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohaamad Shaabani Jahromi ¹
• Mohammad Bahadori jahromi ²
• Alireza Mazinani ³

¹ Ph.D Student, Public Law, Allameh Tabatabae’i University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Departement of Public Law, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Ph.D Student, Public Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, elections of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (ICA) have followed a majoritarian system within constituencies corresponding to city divisions. Throughout various parliamentary terms, several proposals have been introduced to replace the current electoral model with a proportional representation system. A review of the evolution of the Islamic Council Elections Law shows substantial changes in many legal aspects governing elections, as well as the unusually high number of amendments to this law compared with all other national laws. Nevertheless, the core model of the electoral system has remained largely unchanged since the founding of the Islamic Republic. Given these circumstances, it may be presumed that the current parliamentary electoral system is intrinsically aligned with constitutional principles, and that the Guardian Council would therefore reject any fundamental modification of the current model. In this respect, the present study aimed to analyze the Guardian Council’s approach by addressing the following research question: In its review of the ICA’s approvals concerning changes to the electoral system, how does the Guardian Council interpret the relevant constitutional principles? What are the challenges? And if any constitutional principles are neglected, what consequences might such neglect have for reforming the parliamentary electoral system?

Literature Review

Legal scholars have offered numerous analyses and recommendations in the form of academic articles and commentaries on topics such as the requirements and necessity of reforming the parliamentary electoral system, the ideal model for parliamentary elections, and the shortcomings of the current system. However, when it comes specifically to the factors behind the lack of transformation in the parliamentary electoral system—particularly the approach and role of the Guardian Council—only a limited number of studies exist, most of which focus primarily on explaining the Guardian Council’s adopted approaches in this regard.

Materials and Methods

The present research used an analytical–critical methodology to examine the sources related to the Guardian Council’s procedures. First, it began with collecting the Guardian Council’s opinions concerning those approvals of the ICA that sought to change various aspects of the parliamentary electoral system. Then, the content analysis was applied to identify the constitutional principles invoked by the Guardian Council to prevent alterations to the electoral system. Subsequently, a descriptive–analytical approach was employed to engage with the Guardian Council’s key opinions. The objective was to critique and evaluate the reasoning underlying the Guardian Council’s interpretation and application of the constitutional principles. Finally, the study examined the constitutional principles that the Guardian Council has neglected in its review of electoral system reforms.

Results and Discussion

According to the findings, the Guardian Council view fundamental changes to the parliamentary electoral system as incompatible with democratic principles and with the requirement that representative position be based on public votes. The Guardian Council also appears to believe that such changes would create unfair discrimination, undermine the unity of local communities, and ultimately reduce public participation in elections. Since the Constitution contains principles addressing each of these concerns, the Guardian Council seems to view the adoption of a proportional electoral system as a violation of the Constitution. Critiquing and evaluating the constitutional principles cited in the Guardian Council’s opinions on the ICA’s approvals is a common and established method among legal scholars when analyzing the Council’s procedures. However, the principles not mentioned in the Guardian Council’s opinions cannot simply be assumed irrelevant; rather, the Council’s silence implies that, in its view, no conflict existed between those principles and the proposed provisions. Yet, for a comprehensive assessment of the Guardian Council’s approach to these approvals, these unaddressed principles must also be considered. The neglected principles referred to in this study are those that were not accorded due attention or priority in the Guardian Council’s opinions. Nevertheless, highlighting these overlooked principles in the context of the parliamentary electoral system serves as a reminder of their significant influence and critical role in shaping the electoral system and its outcomes across all domains of political life.

Conclusion

Regardless of the motivations and intentions of the members of parliament in presenting these proposals, it appears that the two critical goals (i.e., fulfilling the national role expected of the parliament and establishing electoral justice) cannot be achieved under the current electoral system. In contrast, adopting a proportional electoral system aligns more closely with these objectives. Despite the advantages of proportional representation, the Guardian Council has ruled that the relevant enactments contradict the constitution. According to the Guardian Council, proportional representation would undermine the principle that requires parliamentary representation be based on public votes. It would also lead to unfair discrimination in electoral competition, reduce citizens’ participation in elections, and undermine unity and public cooperation within constituencies—all of which it sees as incompatible with constitutional principles. The analysis of the Guardian Council’s opinions revealed that substantial portion of the Council’s reasoning—specifically, the grounds on which it claims the proportional system conflicts with the constitution—lacks a solid foundation and is open to question. In some instances, it was also demonstrated that certain features of the proportional system not only avoid the objections raised by the Guardian Council, but may in fact serve as effective tools for achieving constitutional objectives.

Keywords

• Electoral System
• Guardian Council
• Islamic Consultative Assembly
• Constituencies
• Representative Position
• Constitution

Main Subjects

• Public Law