"Where is My Vote?": Democratizing Iranian Election Law Through International Legal Recourse

Abstract

In 2009, massive demonstrations ensued in response to the allegedly fraudulent reelection of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian government met these protests with violence, imprison-ment, and death. Yet, given the Iranian government’s structure and election law, the ability to resolve election disputes through domestic legal means is virtually non-existent. Many provisions of Iranian election law are democratically flawed, even though Iran is a party to numerous international agreements requiring free and fair elections. This Note examines the availability of international legal recourse for the provisions of Iran’s election law that fail to live up to these standards. The Note suggests that the international community apply multi-lateral political pressure to encourage Iranian election reform.