How does the Guardian Council affect electoral competition?

• A. By directly selecting presidential candidates
• B. By vetting candidates for constitutional and Islamic suitability, the Council can disqualify reformists or others, shaping who can run
• C. It has no role in elections
• D. It sets election dates

Answer: (B)

Candidates in Iran’s elections are filtered by the Guardian Council, which decides whether each would-be candidate meets constitutional and Islamic requirements. This power lets the Council disqualify many contenders, often including reformists or other challengers, effectively shaping who can actually run. Because only those deemed qualified can appear on the ballot, the pool of competitors becomes narrower and more predictable, which in turn influences campaign strategies and electoral outcomes. The Council’s role is to screen and certify candidates, not to nominate or appoint winners. It also does not set election dates; that scheduling is handled by other electoral authorities.