Page "Iranian reform movement" Paragraph 22

In January 2004, shortly before the 2004 Iranian legislative elections ( the 7th Parliament ), the conservative Council of Guardians ended Iranian voters ' continued support for reformists by taking the unprecedented step of banning about 2500 candidates, nearly half of the tot, including 80 sitting Parliament deputies.

More than 100 MPs resigned in protest and critics complained the move " shattered any pretense of Iranian democracy ".