The Volunteers forces of Basij should not be used as a campaign tool by presidential candidates, says the deputy head of Iran's Armed Forces Headquarters.

Brigadier General Seyyed Masoud Jazayeri, on Sunday, warned against the involvement of the millions-strong voluntary force in the election heat.

As the candidates vie to establish affinity with the Basij forces, some allegations suggest that the volunteer forces may be used to fill the ranks of the incumbent President Ahmadinejad's supporters.

“We hear that certain individuals and political organizations are attempting to abuse the name of Basij for their own personal and political ends… this is against the standing orders of the Volunteers Resistance Forceof Basij”, explained Gen. Jazayeri, in a statement put on Iran's Ministry of Defense website.

“If such activities become commonplace, then there is danger of artificial divisions between the Volunteers within the different candidates' offices and parties.”

He called on the Armed Forces Judicial Command to confront this matter seriously.

Earlier, the Acting Commander of the Volunteers Resistance Force had told the Mehr News Agency, “None of the Volunteers organizations, including those in the civil service, and students and tutors branches are allowed to participate in electioneering and political rivalries.”

Iran's closely contested tenth presidential election is scheduled for June 12.

ZAP/MMN