The Iranian regime, currently engaged in orchestrating an early presidential election, has implemented stringent security measures to prevent widespread public boycotts and potential protests.
In an effort to address these challenges and counteract the anticipated widespread boycott of the sham elections, the regime’s Press Supervisory Board has issued a directive. This directive categorizes the publication of content that encourages a boycott or reduced participation in the 14th presidential election, unauthorized protests, strikes, and sit-ins as criminal activities.
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, a key member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has recently condemned the election as a sham through its internal network, urging citizens to promote the slogan “My vote is regime change.”
Internal Crisis and Power Struggles Intensify Ahead of #Iran’s Presidential Sham Electionhttps://t.co/fwAnLZWSGC
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) June 5, 2024
According to the Press Supervisory Board’s directive, “any action that disrupts the presidential election” is deemed “disturbing public opinion, black propaganda, and spreading false information against the country,” and is thus criminal. Reports in state media have detailed that the directive identifies content that “creates divisions among different segments of society, especially through ethnic and racial issues, and the publication of fake poll results regarding the election and presidential candidates” as criminal content.
Furthermore, the directive states that “publishing satire” or “any insulting or destructive content in cyberspace against the elections” is considered criminal. To criminalize “insults and spreading lies against election candidates,” a private complainant is required.
Under this directive, media outlets and social network users “are not allowed to publish advertisements or content against the election candidates or suggest that certain groups or individuals have withdrawn from specific candidates.”
Unprecedented Boycott of Regime’s Sham #Election Causes More Unbalance for #Iran’s Tyrantshttps://t.co/frSBIwXhuQ
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 25, 2024
Failure to comply will result in a mandatory publication of a correction “as soon as possible.” The penalties for violations include “one to three months” suspension of the publication, website, or messaging center and social networks, and “up to 74 lashes” for the manager. If the author of the content is identified, they will also face punishment.
The Press Supervisory Board’s directive also references the “special conditions prevailing in the country” following the death of Ebrahim Raisi and the “holding of early elections.”
In recent days, as election activities have commenced, numerous state officials have started exposing and attacking the candidates, most of whom are current government officials. Ali Khamenei, the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, had strongly urged his regime’s officials to refrain from defamation and mutual exposure during the anniversary ceremony of his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini’s death.