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| Mehsa Mehdili |
Mehsa Mehdili says that the nature of the elections and the political regime in Iran does not allow the will of the local population to be expressed, but she believes that taking advantage of the relatively open atmosphere during elections would be beneficial. Speaking to Voice of America, the national activist evaluates the position of Turkish activists and the national movement regarding the Islamic City Councils elections held alongside the presidential elections on May 19.
"[In elections], some channels must be created for the nation to have a say. It is not just about voting, but also about creating an opportunity for the will of the people to be reflected... However, neither the essence of the elections nor the process in Iran allows for the local population's will to be expressed," Mehsa Mehdili says.
The Turkish activist states that power and wealth are not distributed fairly in Iran and that institutions like the City Councils will not be able to make a difference in this regard.
She adds, "But of course, if the elected council group knows the issues of the region well, cares more about the people's problems, at least they will have a relative impact in overseeing the budget that is unequally distributed from the center or in conveying the region's problems to the center."
According to her, "The Iranian regime places great importance on elections. Because it needs this for creating a good image in the world. Therefore, it always wants the people to participate in large numbers. So, it grants the right to vote to everyone, but it does not give the right to be elected to everyone. We know that one must go through difficult processes to register as a candidate."
Mehsa Mehdili emphasizes that national activists will be able to take advantage of the relatively open atmosphere created during election campaigns. "I think the most important thing is the relatively open atmosphere that occurs during the election period," she says.
In 2016, several members of the City Council, as well as the head managers of municipalities, were put under control in several cities of East Azerbaijan province, including Tabriz, under the name "bribery and corruption files." According to Mehsa Mehdili, due to the lack of transparency in the process of control and the trial, it is not possible to give an opinion on this matter.
She also mentions that she believes the City Councils in West Azerbaijan province have had a positive impact.
"In West Azerbaijan, non-Turks, particularly the Kurdish community and non-Shia societies, also live. People who are elected there should not serve as a ladder for those who promote conflict between ethnic or sectarian groups. Those who can represent all ethnic groups living there, who do not engage in other issues, should be elected. People who can represent all Azerbaijanis, whether they are Kurds or Turks, should be chosen. Definitely, some terrorist groups who claim land in West Azerbaijan should not be elected," says the Turkish activist, originally from Salmas in West Azerbaijan.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Məhsa Mehdili: İranda səsvermə haqqı hamıya verilir, amma seçilmə haqqı...