The Islamic Councils (Persian: شوراهای اسلامی), formerly known as the Provincial Societies (Persian: انجمنهای ایالتی و ولایتی, romanized: anjoman-ha-ye ayalati va velayati)[1] are local councils which are elected by public vote in all cities and villages throughout Iran.
Council members in each city or village are elected by direct public vote to a 4-year term.
[2] According to article 7 of the Iranian Constitution, these local councils together with the Majlis (Parliament) are "decision-making and administrative organs of the State".
The councils are in charge of electing mayors, supervising the activities of municipalities; study of social, cultural, educational, health, economic, and welfare requirements of their constituencies; the planning and coordination of national participation in the implementation of social, economic, constructive, cultural, educational and other welfare affairs.
Iranian Constitution Article 7: https://archive.today/20060508013119/http://www.iranologyfo.com/low-e01.htm Overview of Iranian Political System: https://web.archive.org/web/20060506125510/http://www.irtp.com/howto/partner/partner/chap1/chap1v.htm BBC News: Iran prepares for first-ever local elections: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/monitoring/newsid_276000/276816.stm BBC News: Iran's women show political muscle: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/289503.stm Article in The Iranian: http://www.iranian.com/Features/2003/February/Council/