- Iranians holding Ashura mourning for Imam Hussein
- Third step: Iran officially informs EU of plan to expand nuclear R&D
- Iran expands nuclear R&D program: Rouhani
- Iran goes ahead in space tech, despite US sanctions: ISA
- Resistance Front undermining Israeli regime power: Top commander
- Iran: 7 crew members of detained UK ship freed
- US addiction to sanction threaten its power: Iran’s Zarif
- Dutch role in 2007 Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear site under scrutiny: Iraian FM Spox.
- Iran: ‘Sustainable Security 2019’ kicks off in Caspian Sea
- Iran’s Zarif leaves Tehran for Moscow
- Shiraz University ranked 1st in liver transplantation: Iranian health official
- Japan’s Abe to meet Iran’s president to discuss easing tension in region
- Downing of US spy drone shattered war threats against Iran: Top IRGC commander
- IAEO head reports development of first ion-therapy hospital in west of Asia
- Iranian Taekwondo team wins 2019 World Cup championship
- US sanctions failed to force Iran to buckle: Report
- Crew fixing Iran oil tanker broken down in Red Sea
- As Iranians hold nerves, US seeks to scare off trade
- Leader expresses concern about Kashmir, urges India to follow fair policy toward Muslim-majority region
- Iran saffron exports down due to smuggling, government restrictions: Exporter
- Iran FM warns US against ‘serious miscalculation’ in Persian Gulf
- Iran’s resistance policy led to release of oil tanker: MP
- Iran in reverse brain drain as top students come home in rising numbers
- Iran official calls for compensation for tanker seizure
- Iran hails N Korea for standing against ‘unilateral’ US demands
- Shia Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Ghadir
- North Korea praises Iran’s anti-US struggle
- Zarif says to meet French president Friday
- Iranian court hearing case of UK oil tanker
- Over half of Japanese voters oppose joining US-led anti-Iran coalition in Persian Gulf: Poll
- IME trade ups by 21 percent in July
- Finland backs INSTEX in defiance of US
- US anti-Iran policy in high seas harms Europeans: LA Times
- Iran, China confer on Syria
- Iran, Finland share views on Persian Gulf dialogue forum: Zarif
- Iran warns US against seizure of oil tanker
- Iraq eager to benefit from Iranian Police’s experience
- Iran planning 3rd step to reduce nuclear commitments: Spokesman
- Leader grants clemency to over 1,000 Iranian inmates
- Registration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to begin in Iran on Friday
- Iran, Iraq agree to reopen Khosravi border crossing
- Iran deplores suicide attack at Kabul wedding hall
- Iran to hold int'l hand-woven carpets expo
- Zarif meets with Iran-Kuwait Friendship Group members
- Adrian Darya oil tanker not under any sanctions, says Iran envoy
- ‘Iran to stay in nuclear deal as long as its interests are met’
- India envoy happy with positive trend of trade with Iran
- Iran’s annual export of white meat tops 2.5m tons: Minister
- Iranian scientist discovers new state of matter
- Iran, Japan diplomats discuss bilateral ties
- Iran, Ansarullah, European representatives Yemen developments
- ‘Iran to become self-sufficient in producing aircraft engines'
- US issues seizure warrant for Iranian supertanker 'Grace 1'
- Neanderthal tooth unearthed near Iran’s Zagros mountain
- Iran’s Zarif due in Kuwait on Saturday
- US faces humiliating defeat after Gibraltar releases Iranian tanker: Envoy
- Spokesman rejects claim on Iran’s commitment in exchange for tanker release
- Zarif reacts to release of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar
- Israel, UAE engaged in secret talks on Iran arranged by US: Report
- US threatens visa ban as Iranian-operated tanker sets to sail from Gibraltar
- Enemies must factor Iran's global power in their calculations: IRGC's chief commander
- Trump’s administration conflicting messages to Iran baffle go-betweens: Report
- Gibraltar releases Iran-operated tanker despite US pressure
TEHRAN, May 19, YJC - The Persian Gulf’s coastline accommodates eight countries, Iran and seven Arab states.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Here is a look at the differences between the electoral systems in the Islamic Republic and the other countries that share the littoral stretch with it.
In the Islamic Republic, the Leader, which is the highest authority in the country, is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body, which also oversees the Leader’s work. The Assembly, itself, has its members elected by the people.
The country also holds regular Legislative, Parliamentary, and City and Village Council elections to respectively elect the country’s chief executive, members of the parliament, and members of the councils tasked with running urban and rural affairs.
Saudi Arabia
The kingdom is an absolute monarchy, where the monarch enjoys unlimited authority, except for that he must submit to the Saudi version of "religious law.” Though not always, absolute monarchy is hereditary as is the case in the kingdom.
The king is also the head of government, where members of the ruling Al Saudi family prevail.
The members of the Saudi Consultative Assembly or Parliament are appointed by royal decree.
The only popular election in the country is that of municipal elections, which had been excluding women until 2015.
Oman
Oman is likewise an absolute hereditary monarchy, where the Sultan heads both the state and the government. The Sultan chooses the country’s cabinet.
The Sultan also appoints members of the Consultative Assembly or the Parliament by choosing from among the names sent by local caucuses in the country’s dozens-strong districts.
Bahrain
The island is a constitutional monarchy, where the king’s authority is bound by the constitution.
The country held elections in 1970s to elect a Constituent Assembly that drafted the constitution.
The constitution has enshrined the hereditary leadership of the Al Khalifa family and called for the establishment of the National Assembly or Parliament. Only half of the legislature’s members are elected by popular vote, the rest being handpicked by the monarch.
The country has dissolved its biggest political opposition party of al-Wefaq, and been cracking down on its supporters in what is seen as a major deterrent against popular political participation.
Iraq
Iraq has the members of its parliament elected by its people. The parliament, in turn, elects the president and the prime minister, who heads the country’s cabinet.
Kuwait
The position of Kuwait’s emir has been passing on, in the Al Sabah family. The emir appoints the prime minister, who, in turn, appoints ministers.
The country, however, elects its own parliament members, who are empowered to even overrule the emir’s decrees or remove ministers.
The United Arab Emirates
The Emirate’s political constellation is formed by an absolute monarchical rule, where Abu Dhabi’s ruler is the president and head of state, and Dubai’s ruler the prime minister.
People hold a say when it comes to electing half of the members of the Federal National Council or the Emirati federal authority.
Qatar
The Qatari political system is seen as probably the closest to that of Saudi Arabia. Qatar is an absolute monarchy only responsive to "religious law.”
It was supposed to hold legislative elections in 2013, but has postponed it until at least 2019.
Your Comment