Iran’s Reformists have faced an unprecedented number of their candidates being barred from running in the upcoming parliamentary election. However, this could turn out to be a gift to them from radicals.

The hard-line-dominated Guardian Council, tasked with vetting the candidates, has paved the way for an easy victory of hard-liners in Iran while rejecting the majority of Reformist candidates across the country. The number of Reformist candidates recognized as disqualified by the Guardian Council is to the extent that the election, as President Hassan Rouhani has stated, won’t be competitive.

In this vein, Hassan Rasouli, the chairman of the Reformists’ electoral campaign, said Jan. 24, “The Interior Ministry has announced that out of 290 seats of parliament, there is no competition for 158 seats, and we lack even one [approved] Reformist candidate in many of the provinces.”

Moreover, Morteza Moballegh, a Reformist figure, stated Jan. 21: “Across the country except Tehran, there are only 21 [approved Reformist] candidates.” Adding that the number of Reformist nominees permitted to run in the election in Tehran is less than the “fingers” of two hands.