Category: Politics & government
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[2007] Of fraud in Iran?
ALERT & UPDATE: Death has been reported in Iran. See Tehran Bureau.
There are reports of fraud committed during the Iranian presidential election.
[youtube]0ruCwNPzDRY[/youtube]
Why are there people believing that fraud has been commited?
In recent days, Mr. Moussavi’s supporters were predicting a wide victory, citing voter surveys. And Mr. Ahmadinejad, the hard-line incumbent, had appeared on the defensive, hurling extraordinary accusations at some of the Islamic republic’s founding figures.
Iran’s Interior Ministry said Saturday that final results gave Mr. Ahmadinejad 62.6 percent of the vote, with Mr. Moussavi receiving 33.7 percent. The ministry says turnout was a record 85 percent of eligible voters.
Though there was no word of Mr. Moussavi’s whereabouts on Saturday, statements on his Web site made clear that he was contesting the official line. [Ahmadinejad Re-Elected; Protests Flare. Robert F. Worth. New York Times. June 13 2009]
An article in Wikipedia however states this:
The opinion polls in Iran have been considered unreliable. A number of polls conducted between relatively small voting groups, like university students and workers, have been reported as election propaganda. More general polls reported in the media do not state the polling organization nor the basic facts about the methodology. The results show a high variance and depend heavily on who is reporting the poll.[Iranian presidential election, 2009: Opinion polls. Wikipedia. Accessed June 13 2009]
It is not quite clear to me if it is a case of fraud or a case of where the loser refuses to accept defeat. But in any case, the way the presidential elections are ran in Iran does not command confidence: only candidates pre-approved by a cabal are allowed to contest.[1]
[1] — See President of Iran at Wikipedia. Accessed June 12 2009]
p/s — after reading the issue and the latest developing closely, I believe this could easily be an opportunity for a liberal revolution in Iran.
pp/s — Professor Juan Cole of the University of Michigan presents the case for fraud.
This is the kind of use of statistics that I absolutely abhor.
In the 1990 general elections, PAS’ support base stood at 375,867 votes. Last year, it reached 1.14 million, an almost threefold increase in 18 years. The huge increase in PAS’ support in last year’s general elections came mainly from its new supporters — the non-Malays.
By comparison, BN’s votes increased from 2.98 million in 1990 to 4.1 million last year, an improvement of only one-third. [BN vs Pakatan: Chinese reaction to PAS is the key. Fui K. Soong. The Straits Times via The Malaysian Insider. June 8 2009]
It is so bad, I think it is self-apparent. The logical gap is too wide to hide.
Spot the problem. Or problems.
Mind you, this is a CEO of an MCA think tank…
p/s — hints.
What was the percentage of Chinese who voted for PAS in 1990? In 2008?
What is the growth rate of total voters?
What about 1999?
Ong Kian Ming more or less raised this question in my Facebook account: how many seats PAS contested in 1990? in 2008?
I am watching President Obama’s speech in Cairo live right now, with his prepared text on screen. This is the best part so far for me:
For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers — for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. [Obama’s Speech in Cairo. Barack Obama. Washington Wire. June 4 2009]
Great to be able to watch the speech online, live:
Another great part:
There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
Next:
I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort — that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country — you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.
Near the end:
It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today
Why?
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – An influential opposition leader running for a key post in Malaysia’s Islamist party has “guaranteed” a commitment to a free market economy and protecting the rights of the country’s multi-racial communities.
Husam Musa, vice-president of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), the country’s second largest party in mass membership, is vying to be PAS deputy leader at its five-day annual conference which starts on Wednesday. [Malaysia Islamist to protect free market, minorities. Razak Ahmad. Reuters. June 2 2009]
Right on!