TEHRAN, Iran — "Disapproval of competence" is a legal device used by the Iranian government to limit access to public offices. Yet, the use of this device is not limited to cases of presidential, parliamentary or urban or rural council candidates. In fact, 25% of candidates vying for spots on the Iranian Bar Association's board of directors, set for election on March 11, have been rejected based on their level of competence.

Legally, the High Regulatory Council of Judges is the supervisory body for the bar association's elections. The council's head is selected directly by the head of the judicial branch, a position currently held by conservative cleric Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani.

More amazing than the sheer quantity of people excluded, are the names of those rejected. Among the 29 individuals rejected based on their competence are Behshid Arfania, Abbas Karimi, Isa Amini, Shapour Manouchehri and Kamran Aghaie — all current members of the bar association's board of directors. Mohammad Jandaghi additionally boasts on his resume the position of chairmanship of the board.

This sweeping round of rejections follows the bar association's 104th anniversary, as well as last week's Attorney Day celebrations. The bar association is the oldest legal association in Iran and has gone through many trials and tribulations throughout its history.