TEHRAN – On Tuesday, the Guardian Council released the names of theologists whose qualifications have been approved to run for of the Assembly of Experts election which will be held simultaneously with parliamentary polls on February 26.

According to the results, senior politician and former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been qualified to run for a seat in the assembly.

Hassan Khomeini, grandson to late Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was disqualified by the Guardian Council, ILNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

President Hassan Rouhani and his Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi are also among the qualified hopefuls for the Tehran district.

Furthermore, Etemad Melli Party member Rasul Montajabnia has been found disqualified. Ayatollah Mahmoud Amjad is another disqualified figure. He is a member of the Resistance Front.

Constitutionally, the 86-member assembly is authorized to elect or sack leader.

SP/P