We Don't Need No Stinking Elections

Well, the Iranian government doesn't necessarily think that, but they do think that they have to invent high voting turnout to legitimize their continued corrupt rule.

That's right.

The mullahs had to invent high polling data to support their assertion that they have the support of a nation that has no other choice but to accept their candidates, accept the predetermined outcome, and continued policies of economic destruction and a collision course with the US over its nuclear weapons program even as the country stuggles to figure out how to employ a nation of 20-somethings.

Publius writes:

Sometimes I hate being right. As for the regime, they were dead wrong. Even Moin did not bring out the crowds that they needed for legitimacy. That’s when the regime mobilized.

Fearing a complete shut out, they extended the voting time by four hours, saying that the lines were so long that it was necessary. Meanwhile, they broadcasted images and video from previous elections. They made several polling places too small so that lines were forced to develop outside. The journalists, who had to be accompanied by a regime agent and could only go where permitted, only saw these stations.

Yet, they continue to report as if they know with authority what the hell is going on. The regime is playing the media like a greased harmonica. All that they can really report is “The Interior Ministry says turnout is this high,” or “The Guardian Council says it’s higher,” without ever being able to investigate outside of their hotel rooms if that is true or not.

It’s because of this that the real story isn’t getting out of Iran: Almost nobody voted. It was a total rejection of the Islamic government. The regime has zero legitimacy.

I have to quibble with that last part - the regime has had zero legitimacy for more than a decade (and that's being charitable). The mullahs have continued to operate as though they have the continued support from the people even as the people show their utter disdain by not showing up to vote. Sadly, the 'vote' this week means that the people of Iran will continue to lose because the mullahs will pull the strings to continue their rule.

UPDATE - technorati stuff
Technorati: Iran, election.