Opposition calls for referendum to strip conservative constitutional watchdog of all powers
By APMonday, February 22, 2010
Opposition calls for referendum over Iran crisis
TEHRAN, Iran — One of Iran’s top opposition leaders is seeking a referendum to end the postelection turmoil in the country.
Mahdi Karroubi’s website, Sahamnews, Monday carried statement calling for a referendum to end the crisis by stripping the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog, of its powers.
The idea of the referendum is the first new policy initiative by the opposition in months.
The Guardian Council has raised the ire of reformists by banning liberal candidates from running in elections as part of its powers to vet all those running.
Karroubi ran against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in last June’s disputed elections and together with fellow opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, they believe the election was fraudulent.
