Hard-liner Wins Iran Presidency in Election Marred By Low Turnout, Voter Boycott

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. judiciary / dʒuˈdɪʃ iˌɛr i / (n.) – a branch of the government that deals with the country’s legal system, including its courts of law and judges
    Example:

    My grandfather is a member of the judiciary because he’s a judge.


  2. landslide / ˈlændˌslaɪd / (n.) – a situation where the winner of an election received a much greater number of votes than other candidates
    Example:

    The election was a landslide; the young politician won almost 80% of the vote.


  3. protege / ˈproʊ təˌʒeɪ / (n.) – someone who’s taught or helped by an older or more experienced person
    Example:

    Martin is a protege of a famous pianist.


  4. turnout / ˈtɜrnˌaʊt / (n.) – the number of voters in an election
    Example:

    Some people think the low turnout was due to the heavy rain.  


  5. disqualify / dɪsˈkwɒl əˌfaɪ / (v.) – to stop or prevent someone from doing, having, or joining something
    Example:

    The judges disqualified every contestant who was late.


Article

Read the text below.

Iran’s hard-line judiciary chief won a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election, a vote that propelled the supreme leader’s protege into Tehran’s highest civilian position, but saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.


The election of Ebrahim Raisi, already sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988, became more of a coronation after his strongest competition found themselves disqualified from running in the June 19 vote.


That sparked calls for a boycott and many apparently did stay home — out of over 59 million eligible voters, only 28.9 million voted. Of those voting, some 3.7 million people either accidentally or intentionally voided their ballots, far beyond the amount seen in previous elections.


Iranian state television immediately blamed challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and U.S. sanctions for the low participation. But the low turnout and voided ballots suggested a wider unhappiness with the tightly controlled election. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • After Raisi’s strongest competition found themselves disqualified from running, people called for a boycott. Out of over 59 million eligible voters, only 28.9 million voted. Do you think it’s a good idea to boycott an election? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Of those voting, some 3.7 million people either accidentally or intentionally voided their ballots. In your opinion, why would people intentionally void a ballot? What are some possible reasons for accidentally voiding a ballot? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Raisi’s strongest competition found themselves disqualified for running in the presidential election. In your opinion, are there any good reasons for disqualifying someone from running for office (ex. murder, previous corruption charges)? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Raisi won a landslide victory. Do you think there will be a landslide victory in the next national election in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.