Abstract

Elections have been held regularly in the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979. This shows the importance the ruling elites attach to elections as a method of legitimating their rule. This paper examines the ninth Majlis elections held on March 2, 2012. It analyses the Iranian electoral laws, the candidates contesting elections, their campaign style, the voting, and the post-election debates. It answers the following questions: What was the significance of the ninth Majlis elections? How were the ninth Majlis elections conducted? And how did the proponents and opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran look at the entire electoral process?