[JURIST] Upon reconsidering [JURIST report] its former ban [JURIST report] on reformist candidates, Iran's Guardian Council [Wikipedia entry] has now officially reinstated former higher education minister Mostafa Moin [Wikipedia entry] and incumbent Vice President Mohsen Mehr-Alizadeh as candidates in the June 17 presidential elections. Moin, an outspoken reformist, has promised to tackle human rights abuses if elected. Mehr-Alizadeh, however, is not considered to be a serious contender for the presidency. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [Wikipedia profile], who has authority over all matters political and spiritual in Iran, cited the necessity of a broad range of candidates to ensure a high voter turnout and ordered the council to change its mind. Reuters has more. BBC News provides additional coverage.
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