AFP: Iran's ex-premier Mir Hossein Mousavi has been cleared by the Guardians Council, the powerful constitutional watchdog, to stand in June presidential elections, his media adviser told AFP.
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran's ex-premier Mir Hossein Mousavi has been cleared by the Guardians Council, the powerful constitutional watchdog, to stand in June presidential elections, his media adviser told AFP.
"Based on the information I received, Mr. Mousavi has been confirmed" by the 12-member Guardians Council, said Abolfazl Fateh.
Mousavi was Iran's last serving prime minister before the post was scrapped in 1989. He is seeking to make a comeback after two decades in the political wilderness.
Iran's conservative electoral and constitutional watchdog screens prospective candidates and gives a final ruling on those who can stand for the election.
The council comprises six clerics selected by the supreme leader and six jurists proposed by the head of the judiciary.
The other prominent candidates contesting in the June 12 election are incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is seeking another four-year term, ex-parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi and the former head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corp, Mohsen Rezai.
A total of 475 candidates had registered for the presidency during the five-day registration period which ended on May 9.
The Guardians Council will officially release the list of approved candidates on May 20 and 21.
Formal campaigning for the election is due to begin on May 22 and end on June 10.
The interior ministry has said results will be declared a day after the election.
