TEHRAN, Iran — "Disapproval of competence" is a legal device used by the Iranian government to limit access to public offices. Yet, the use of this device is not limited to cases of presidential, parliamentary or urban or rural council candidates. In fact, 25% of candidates vying for spots on the Iranian Bar Association's board of directors, set for election on March 11, have been rejected based on their level of competence.
Legally, the High Regulatory Council of Judges is the supervisory body for the bar association's elections. The council's head is selected directly by the head of the judicial branch, a position currently held by conservative cleric Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani.
