Iranian parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for December but postponed because of the Shah’s indecision as to whether to allow voters a free choice between selected candidates, finally began last week and are expected to go on for at least several weeks. The Shah apparently has decided to use government influence to ensure that candidates of his choice win in nearly every constituency. [redacted sentence]

The rigging cannot be concealed from the public and may cause stronger protest demonstrations than those leading to suspension of elections last August. In August the Shah appeared worried over the strength of public opposition to election irregularities; he demanded the resignation of Premier Eqbal, promised a new election law, and expressed privately his determination to allow voters in future elections a real choice. [Manouchehr Eghbal]

Recently, however, Eqbal, who hopes to return to office, convinced the Shah that conditions in Iran still necessitate fixed elections. Incumbent Premier Sharif-Emami,who has advocated freer elections and other political reforms, is apparently acquiescing in the rigging, although he may not be actively participating. [Jafar Sharif-Emami]

The [large area, at least two paragraphs redacted] Sharif-Emami told a US Embassy official he has warned provincial governors that they would be fired for any attempt to influence the outcome. The governors are under the jurisdiction of the interior minister, however, and are not likely to heed the prime minister’s warning.

Publicly the government is maintaining that voters will have a real choice and will offer as evidence the candidacy of Allahyar Saleh, a popular moderate nationalist leader and former follower of ex-Premier Mossadeq. [Allah Yar Saleh, formerly head of the Joint Oil Committee and later ambassador to the U.S. in Premier Mohammad Mossadegh’s government]

The Shah claims he is holding elections at this time because he urgently needs a parliament to deal with mounting financial problems. There have been suggestions, however, that one of his main motives is to attempt to create a better impression of his regime in the United States.

The election, if it is completed this time, will result in a pro-Shah, pro-American government regardless of which candidates win. As Bakhtiar [Shapour Bakhtiar of the National Front] expresses it, however, “the real and tragic damage” will be “the irreparable widening of the gap between the regime and the people.” [a few words redacted]