FG

After two big reformist victories, Khamenei gave secret instructions in 2004 mandating rigged elections. When the degree of "fixing" required became impossible to conceal, the Islamic Republic openly became what is always had been covertly--a police state. Most people now that elections were useless, that the IRI is incapable of serious reform and that a decent future is therefore impossible so long as it continues to exist.

WHY BOYCOTT IS YOUR BEST CHOICE

To vote in hopelessly rigged elections is to endorse tyranny. After stealing your votes in 2009, how many times did Khamenei count your turnout in 2009 as "proof" you trusted the regime's elections? Don't let him do so again. As a sign of non-participation, wear green and stay out where you can be seen all day long. If you fear retaliation, paint your face. Can regime thugs beat millions? Avoid demonstrations or chanting to deprive them of further opportunities. In this way you can undermine in advance any phony claims of a "high turnout."

ASSUMING YOU MUST VOTE...

Given sufficient power, Ahmadinejad would be as tyrannical as Khamenei. However, the best Ahmadinejad can accomplish should his faction win is to increase his power at Khamenei's expense. Feuding would continue, paralyzing a regime when it faces so many crises, both internal and external. For a majority of Iranians sick of excess, that seems the best possible outcome for now. Other reasons: Ahamadinejad opposes Saudi-zation and favors contact with the West. However when it comes to rigged elections, censorship and police state behavior, you can flip a coin.

INDISPUTABLY THE WORST CHOICE FOR UNHAPPY VOTERS IS....

...the Khamenei/Security Force alliance. Who is more responsible for your hardships today than Lady Farzaneh Khanoum (aka Sayyed Khamenei)? How many awful crimes did he commit prior to Ahmadinejad's first appearance? Who made Ahmadinejad what he is today? Who applauded all Mahmoud's crimes so long as reformers were targeted? Who handed most of the economy to fat security force generals in return for stomping the people?

A victory by the Khamenei-Security Force Mafia would eliminate the last open opposition within the system. Never again will any serious rival be allowed. Khamenei will continue hated policies--fomenting xenophobia, imposing cultural Saudi-zation and isolating Iranians from any real democracies lest they get "contaminated." Covert de-stabilization schemes will continue to anger neighbors. Look for a huge increase in Basilj and social police.