Factory Guard first to Register for Iran Presidency

A tile factory guard is the first Iranian to register to run in the June 17 presidential election, although he acknowledges his chances are slim. The official IRNA news said Abolqassem Khaki travelled to Tehran from the central desert town of Meybod to register today to run in the poll. The election is expected to return the presidency to conservatives after Mohammad Khatami's frustrated attempts at reform. IRNA said Khaki feared the Guardian Council, the hard-line constitutional watchdog, will eventually reject his application. The body has strict moral and legislative criteria, requiring candidates to be established statesmen. In 2001, the council allowed 10 out of 814 hopefuls to stand. Iranians have until Saturday evening to register to run.