Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 1, 2000 - Reflection on the Contradictions in Statements by Ayatollah Khamenei, Mohammad Khatami, and Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi Regarding the Widespread Shutdown of Newspapers and Arrests of Political and Media Activists

Participation in the second round of the Sixth Parliament elections, but casting a significant blank vote by Hashemi

At home today, the time was spent reading, resting, revising the index for the ninth volume of the "Tafsir Rahnama" commentary, cleaning the pool, and swimming. In the late morning, I went to the Hosseiniyeh of Jamaran to cast my vote for the second round of Tehran's [Parliamentary elections], but I submitted a blank ballot. The polling staff mentioned that people were not showing up. There were many journalists present, but I did not give any interviews. Reports from across Tehran indicate an unprecedented quietness at polling stations, likely due to the lack of competitive candidates.

In Tehran, the second round of elections was required because the last two candidates had not achieved the minimum necessary votes. Among the four remaining candidates—Ali Akbar Rahmani, Sheikh Rasul Montajabnia, Elias Hazrati, and Seyed Ali Akbar Mohtashami-Pour—voters ultimately selected Elias Hazrati and Seyed Ali Akbar Mohtashami-Pour.

Meanwhile, the foreign media are amplifying the issue of disputes between the Parliament and the judiciary and the contradictions in the statements of the Supreme Leader, the President, and the head of the judiciary regarding the issue of newspaper closures and the arrests of political and media activists.

The commander of the Turkish Army made harsh remarks against neighboring countries that allegedly support internal opponents of the Turkish government, which has been interpreted as a threat towards Iran and Syria.