Tehran - At least 30 deputies are among dozens of reformers banned from standing in Iran's crucial parliamentary elections next month, it was reported yesterday. The Iran newspaper, run by the state news agency IRNA, said among those disqualified by the Guardian Council, an elections supervisory body controlled by conservative clerics, were many close allies of President Mohammad Khatami and liberal dissidents.
It said the council had notified the Interior Ministry of the list of rejected candidates, although their names would not be published unless formally requested. Newspapers said between 30 and 50 deputies in the present parliament, which has 270 seats, had been barred from seeking re-election.