![](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2013\/06\/regime-debate.jpg\" "\\"regime-debate\\"")
NCRI – The Iranian regime’s electoral candidates were the subject of wide ridicule by Iranians as they appeared on a staged TV debate facing ‘child-like’ multiple choice questions.<\/p>\nNCRI – The Iranian regime’s electoral candidates were the subject of wide ridicule by Iranians as they appeared on a staged TV debate facing ‘child-like’ multiple choice questions.<\/p>\n
The first stage of the show turned into expression of bitterness and anger over the questions and format, broadcasted live on state television on Friday.<\/p>\n
State-run daily Etemad wrote: “State-run TV has turned the most important political event into an entertainment programme.”<\/p>\n
Some members of the Iranian regime’s parliament described the debate as ‘a TV game’ or ‘Comical Baazar.’ Some said the state-run network should apologise for the ridiculous show.<\/p>\n
One MP said: “a majority of people Iran are ridiculing the program. For example they say that in the next round of debates the candidates would probably be asked to do some painting.”<\/p>\n
Another MP said the event reminds him of a comedy show.<\/p>\n
The debate between the eight candidates of sham election who had been able to pass through filtering by unelected Guardian Council was a rare unscripted moment in an election authorities hope to tightly control.<\/p>\n
The candidates were barred from directed debate and instead, they were asked direct questions by the show’s host about the state of Iran’s economy and nuclear program.<\/p>\n
But the format of the show itself finally became the most controversial issue during the broadcast.<\/p>\n
Candidate Mohammad Reza Aref said afterwards: “This debate was not respectful to the candidates. We should have been allowed to debate with each other. I only stayed out of respect to the viewers but did not answer any of the questions.<\/p>\n
And candidate Mohsen Rezaei added: “State-run TV must recognize the eight candidates as a president. I was patient and tolerant. I was trying to see where this process would end, but repetitive questions in a very limited time was not appropriate.<\/p>\n
“If we don\u2019t observe the importance of the president from now on, it means that we don\u2019t want to establish a strong government. We are now deciding whether we should appear in the future debates or not.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Hassan Rohani described the style of debate as ‘insulting’ and Bagher Qalibaf, Saeed Jalili and Ali Akbar Velayati all said they were asked the wrong questions.<\/p>\n
The biggest objections were to the multiple choice questions they had to answer within three minutes. They were also shown a series of photos – including of a cargo ship, cars backed up in traffic, and clock showing the time of 7:15 – and asked to give their impressions.<\/p>\n
Aref told the TV host: “I am not answering these questions. I stopped answering exam questions 40 or 50 years ago.”<\/p>\n
And former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani added: “You should have asked the candidates in advance over the manner of the debate.”<\/p>\n
The second debate is planned for June 5 with a final one focusing on policy issues on June 7.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NCRI – The Iranian regime’s electoral candidates were the subject of wide ridicule by Iranians as they appeared on a staged TV debate facing ‘child-like’ multiple choice questions. The first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40060,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[175],"class_list":{"0":"post-13869","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-iran-a-world","8":"tag-updated"},"yoast_head":"\n