Why do we care about the Iranian elections?

June 29, 2009 by Afan Tarar 

U.S. dislike for Ahmadinejad not reason enough

It seems like everyone was excited about the elections in Iran—but why?

Many people thought this election would be some kind of a mini-revolution. They thought the people of Iran would finally stand up to their tyrant. Perhaps many just hoped it might finally be easier to pronounce the next president’s name.

But the results of this election were a major disappointment and a reality check for many in the U.S.

It is important to note that many people in Iran actually still support Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and believe that he is good for the country. More importantly, it doesn’t really matter who the Iranian president is, because the supreme leader is the final authority on all matters of state and defense.

Iran has a unique system of government—something like a hybrid demo-theocracy.

The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms. He has the power to sign treaties and appoint ministers and ambassadors upon the approval of parliament. A 12-member Council of Guardians, half of whom the supreme leader appoints, approves the presidential candidates. The Council of Experts elects the supreme leader.

It’s all really complicated and sounds like something from a Lord of the Rings film. But the Council of Experts has never publicly dissented against a supreme leader, nor have they ever kicked one out of office. So, pretty much, the man in charge is the supreme leader.

Whether or not we in the West want to admit it, Ahmadinejad is a popular figure in Iran. The normal, “Joe the Plumber”-type Iranian voted for Ahmadinejad, whereas the educated elite voted for Mir Hussain Mousavi—the more moderate challenger.

Controversy has arisen over the alleged rigging of the election—but why is anyone surprised?

Many countries suffer from vote rigging. It is normal and it will not end just because a majority of Americans happened to support Mousavi and hate Ahmadinejad.

In addition, no one can really prove that a proper count of votes would have affected the final result.

This election has polarized Iran, but since the Ayatollah has come out and supported Ahmadinejad, the whole conversation of the results being investigated or reconsidered has ended.

The true power behind Iran’s foreign policy is the Ayatollah. He is the man we have to negotiate with or take out of power. Even if Mousavi had become president, he would have to do what the Ayatollah wanted.

Either way, the West would be disappointed. The clerics that rule Iran have a very firm hold on the nation. If Iran is going to change, the people have to stand up and make that happen, like they did when they wanted to put the Ayatollah in power.

Just from following the news, people might think that there is a lot of dissent in Iran, but a majority of Iranians are quiet. Most people in Iran like Ahmadinejad and love the Ayatollah.

Even if we disagree with their decision, it is their choice. We support democracy and choice. We don’t make a huge deal when elections in other countries might be rigged and our dislike for Ahmadinejad is not reason enough to use our supposed support for freedom as an excuse to criticize this election.

The U.S. simply has to deal with Ahmadinejad for a while.