Khatami's allies had hoped to use the assembly to curb the powers of Khamenei, who effectively has final say in political decisions. Moderates blamed their poor showing on the Council of Guardians, a body dominated by conservatives that ba rred most progressive theologians from becoming candidates. The council pared the candidate list from 396 to 167. The Interior Ministry will be in charge of the municipal elections, approving 200,000 candidates from amon g an expected 800,000 applicants. The criteria for running are much easier.
Candidates are ordinar y people.
Mohammad Sadeq Husseini, adviser to the information minister, told The Associated Press. The moderates are hoping the municipal elections will produce a huge turnout similar to the one that gave Khatami his own victory. By contrast, only 18 million voters turned out last week, and many Iranians said they had boycotted the vo te because the Council of Experts had destroyed any real competition. Even the losers praised the election for an assembly of Iran's ruling clergy, calling it a triumph for democracy. However, the victory for hard-liners announced Sunday could set back moderate President Mohammad Khatami's reforms.