By Geneive Abdo
Iran Analyst, The Century Foundation

In Iran’s dynamic political landscape, few issues unite conservative and reformist leaders, and even fewer topics inspire broad-based public enthusiasm. But Iran’s nuclear program has proven to unify a country that is habitually – some might say, congenitally – divided.

PML-N Vice President Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah has called for quotas for tickets for general election for women in national/provincial elections in addition to seats already reserved for women. 

Stigma, misinformation and denial have impeded efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that afflicts more than 20 percent of the population in some countries in Southern Africa. With powers to oversee spending, pass laws and influence government priorities on behalf of citizens, members of parliaments are well placed to make an impact.

But a survey by NDI and the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) found that legislators were “not taking full advantage of their constitutionally mandated powers to address the HIV/AIDS crisis.”

The Iran Election Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran in the lead-up to the June 12, 2009 presidential elections.