The Rouhni metre: a mix of broken promises and hope

Since Mohammad Khatami's election as president of Iran in 1997, presidential elections have become more significant for Iranians. The disputed elections in 2009, which led to mass protests in Iran, added to the sensitivity of this year's poll. As a result the current Iranian year began in March with mixed feelings about the June elections. Some feared a repetition of 2009 events, while others were thinking of boycotting the poll. Meanwhile, politicians and presidential candidates were cautious not to commit any mishaps. Freelance journalist and social media activist Hamidreza Gholamzadeh says this was evident in the TV debates and programmes leading up to the poll. In his op ed he looks at The Rouhni metre: a mix of broken promises and hope. He is online....