IRNA
First Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohammad Reza Khatami on Sunday said that the MPs staging a sit-in believe that holding the February-20 elections under present circumstances would be illegal and that it would somehow mark the end to the reform movement.
| Hard to have a reform movement when you've got a Supreme Leader™, ain't it? |
Speaking to reporters in the Majlis, he added that the MPs who have staged a sit-in and or have resigned would neither participate in the upcoming election, nor would they attend Majlis sessions in future. "From now on, further approval of the nominees qualifications would be outdated and even if such green lights are given, the candidates would not have sufficient time to launch their electoral campaign. As a result, the February-20 balloting would not be taken as `Just Elections`."
| No elections, no government. It's called a crisis. |
In response to a question about the views of the MPs staging a sit-ins on postponing the election date, the MP said that the main issue is to hold free and valid elections and that if no change takes place in the current trend, more time would be of no use. Turning to the possibility of holding further Majlis meetings, he noted, "We had agreed to close down up to February 19 due to election campaigns. However, given the current situation and the resignation of several MPs, another open session would possibly be convened."
| That's the point his spine wilted... |
In reply to a reporter`s question about the proposal of the sit-in MPs, he said that it concerns a return to the law, given that the law is straightforward and has been complied with for many years. Turning to the procedure for examining the resignation of MPs, he noted, "According to Majlis internal by-law, the resignations are put on agenda case by case, each of which is discussed by the opponents and proponents and the final decision is made." |