Presidential candidates registered and approved in Iran 1980-2021

This statistic depicts the number of registered and approved presidential candidates in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1980 to 2021. During the 2021 presidential election, 592 presidential hopefuls registered to stand in the election. The Guardian Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran approved seven of these candidates to stand in the election. Amongst the rejected candidates were 40 women.

According to Article 115 of the Iranian Constitution, the candidate has to have “religious and political personalities” and he has to fulfill the following categories: be of Iranian origin; Iranian nationality and administrative capacity and resourcefulness; furthermore, have a good past record; be trustworthy and have piety; and have a convinced belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is the job of the Guardian Council to evaluate if a presidential hopeful is fulfilling these requirements and under these criteria, approve his candidacy.