What can be brought to a referendum?
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Constitutionof the Islamic Republic of Iran
(Adoptedin 3 December 1979, 28 July 1989)
http://www.alaviandassociates.com/documents/constitution.pdf
(Mandatory referendum)
CHAPTER XIV Article 177.
Revision of the Constitutionof the Islamic Republic of Iran, whenever needed by the
circumstances, will be done inthe following manner:
The Leader issues an edict tothe President after consultation with the Nation's Exigency
Council stipulating theamendments or additions to be made by the Council for Revision
of the Constitution whichconsists of:
1. Members of the GuardianCouncil.
2. Heads of the three branchesof the government.
3. Permanent members of theNation's Exigency Council.
4. Five members from among theAssembly of Experts.
5. Ten representativesselected by the Leader.
6. Three representatives fromthe Council of Ministers.
7. Three representatives fromthe judiciary branch.
8. Ten representatives fromamong the members of the Islamic
Consultative Assembly.
9. Three representatives fromamong the university professors.
Themethod of working, manner of selection and the terms and conditions of theCouncil shall be determined by law. The decisions of the Council, after theconfirmation and signatures of the Leader, shall be valid if approved by anabsolute majority vote in a national referendum. The provisions of Article 59of the Constitution shall not apply to the referendum for the, 'Revisionof the Constitution.' The contents of the Articles of the Constitutionrelated to the Islamic character of the political system; the basis of all the rulesand regulations according to Islamic criteria; the religious footing; theobjectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran; the democratic character of thegovernment; the wilayat al- 'mr the Imamate of Ummah; and the administration ofthe affairs of the country based on national referenda, official religion ofIran [Islam] and the school [Twelver Ja'fari] are unalterable.
(Optional referendum)
CHAPTER V Article 59.
In extremely importanteconomic, political, social, and cultural matters, the function of the legislaturemay be exercised through direct recourse to popular vote through a referendum.Any request for such direct recourse to public opinion must be approved bytwo-thirds of the members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
