Councils Should Be Viewed Through Non-Factional Perspective--* Councils Will Train Future Executives for Country
December 7, 1998 - 0:0
TEHRAN An official of the Interior Ministry yesterday said that the nationwide elections for the councils should be "viewed free from the factional tussles." Councils Executive Headquarters Head Morteza Moballegh in an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES said, The council elections at city, town and village levels are crucial to generate a sound democratic process in the country. This will be the first time our nation is going to experience the civic bodies across the country, Moballegh said.
In October, the Interior Ministry announced the plan for the elections of 200,000 civic bodies on Feb. 26. Iran's 1980 constitution allows for the election of local councils by universal suffrage. The councils will work for the local affairs of cities, towns and villages and this is the reason these should not be viewed in political parties and factional terms, Moballegh, also chief advisor to the interior minister said.
I accept that political parties and factions follow their own interests, he said, adding that what I'm trying to say is that national interests should receive priority attention. The officials of the councils would be able to gain rich experiences for the administration of the local affairs and the same experience would be utilized at national level later, Moballegh opined. It means that the nation through council would train future executives to serve the nation, he said.
These councils will also reduce the heavy responsibilities of the government which would be able to pay more attention to important national issues, he said. In answer to a question Moballegh said, I don't see any dark aspect in the issue of the councils except that it won't bear fruit if the people will not realize the significance of the basis of democracy.
So far the government was deprived of the common people's active assistance in implementation of national projects which after the formation of the councils would be available to the national administration, Moballegh said. He ruled out that there will be ethnic problems and said, rather the councils will help national harmony. Moballegh said, The Interior Ministry will render its services for a comprehensive information about the councils and their duties through media and round-table conferences.
In October, the Interior Ministry announced the plan for the elections of 200,000 civic bodies on Feb. 26. Iran's 1980 constitution allows for the election of local councils by universal suffrage. The councils will work for the local affairs of cities, towns and villages and this is the reason these should not be viewed in political parties and factional terms, Moballegh, also chief advisor to the interior minister said.
I accept that political parties and factions follow their own interests, he said, adding that what I'm trying to say is that national interests should receive priority attention. The officials of the councils would be able to gain rich experiences for the administration of the local affairs and the same experience would be utilized at national level later, Moballegh opined. It means that the nation through council would train future executives to serve the nation, he said.
These councils will also reduce the heavy responsibilities of the government which would be able to pay more attention to important national issues, he said. In answer to a question Moballegh said, I don't see any dark aspect in the issue of the councils except that it won't bear fruit if the people will not realize the significance of the basis of democracy.
So far the government was deprived of the common people's active assistance in implementation of national projects which after the formation of the councils would be available to the national administration, Moballegh said. He ruled out that there will be ethnic problems and said, rather the councils will help national harmony. Moballegh said, The Interior Ministry will render its services for a comprehensive information about the councils and their duties through media and round-table conferences.