Thread by @NCRIUS

NOW: NCRI's US Representative, Soon Samsami, delivers opening remarks for the NCRI-US press briefing on Iran's parliamentary election. Livestream here:
ncrius.org/livestream.html
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

NOW: NCRI's US Representative, Soon Samsami: These election theatrics are reflective of the Iranian regime's deadly impasse.
Livestream here: ncrius.org/livestream.html
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

NCRI-US's Alireza Jafarzadeh: What is Different in this Election:
1- The 2020 Parliamentary elections are taking place at a time that there were 3 major uprising in Iran in Jan 2018, Nov 2019, and Jan 2020, shaking the foundation of the regime.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

Jafarzadeh: What is Different in this Election:
2- The people are further disillusioned about all factions of the regime after the downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane and lying for three days about it.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

Jafarzadeh: What is Different in this Election:
3- Tehran’s “strategic depth” in Iraq and Lebanon is shattered, as the population in those countries are pushing the regime out. Regime’s number 2, namely Qassem Soleimani is dead.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

Jafarzadeh: What is Different in this Election:
4- Int'l sanctions are only increasing, and Tehran’s oil exports are close to none. These circumstances have made it an easy decision for the population to boycott the elections.
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Widespread Purge: The purge of candidates by the Guardian Council, which is controlled by the regime's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is a regular occurrence. But, this time, Khamenei has ordered the near purge of all of the rival faction members.
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Jafarzadeh: Why the Purge? The reason for this purge is the increasing vulnerability and deadly impasse of Khamenei. His tolerance threshold is at a new low. He is confronted with two choices, each of which is more dangerous than the other.
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Closing Ranks: Based on the regime's internal deliberations, Khamenei has decided to close ranks and carry out a complete purge for 3 main reasons:
A)Fear of uprisings
B)Fear of the opposition
C)Fear of the U.S.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

Many candidates who have a high chance to get into the parliament have extensive background in serving in the Iranian regime’s IRGC, the Qods Force, the Bassij, and the MOIS.
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Iranians whose legitimate demands were met with bullets & machine guns as 1,500 were killed & over 12,000 arrested, have no desire to participate in an election, whose purpose is to maintain power for those responsible for these crimes.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

According to official gov statistics, there are 58 million eligible voters in Iran. In the best-case scenario, no more than 3 to 4 million ppl will participate in this election. Of course, the regime is preparing to declare a 60-70% voter turnout.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

What's at stake: These elections will have severe short-term and medium-term consequences for the regime, leaving the regime increasingly broken, more vulnerable, w/ a weaker social base &faced with the potential of more protests &social uprisings.
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

What the U.S. should do:
* The Int'l community must call this election a sham.
* The regime’s actions, not promises, must be the sole gage to determine how to deal w/ it.
* The regime only understand the language of firmness & strength
#Iran #BoycottIranShamElections

What the U.S. should do (Cont):
* It is time for the US to recognize the rights of Iranians to change their repressive regime & establish a republic based on the free vote of the people, based on the separation of religion & state, and based on pluralism, justice & equality.