The democratic winds of reform sweeping through the Middle East appear to have bypassed the Islamic Republic of Iran on the eve of its presidential election. The poll tomorrow is unlikely to bring about the dramatic changes dreamt of by the Bush administration. However, the election has caused more excitement and debate than initially expected from Iran's usually apathetic population.

While over 1,000 people declared their candidacy, the vetting body known as the Guardian Council only approved a handful of the most prominent and politically viable candidates. Among them is Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the veteran politician and former president from 1989-1997.