Reporter: I offer you my greetings and congratulations on the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah Masumah (pbuh) and the beginning of Ten Days of Keramat [the ten-day period between the birth anniversaries of Lady Fatimah Masumah and Imam Reza (pbut)]. When you cast your vote in the first round of the elections, you addressed the honorable nation and advised them to “take the lead in doing good deeds.” You also said, “When it comes to doing good deeds, there should be no hesitation.” But for some of our fellow citizens, the second round of elections is probably deemed to be less important. There may be some individuals who took part in the first round who think that they have fulfilled their duty. So they may not consider the second round to be that important. What advice do you have for the dear people of Iran with regard to the second round of elections?
Imam Khamenei: In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I extend my greetings to all those who are hearing these words, to the honorable reporter, and to everyone who is present here today. God willing, you will all be successful. Elections in themselves are a fundamental, important task for the country and for the people. Elections are a demonstration of the people's presence. It is a sign of the people's determination and decision.
Therefore, the national duty of every individual, who wants their country to make progress and who wishes to work and get closer to the goals, is to participate in the elections. There is no difference between the first and the second rounds of the elections in this. The second round is as significant as the first round. In the first round, you elected a number [of representatives] and sent them to the parliament, but the number isn’t complete yet.
During this stage, in the second round, you will complete the number. Suppose we took part in the elections and selected some individuals in Tehran or in any other city, but we choose to not participate in the rest, it is as though we have left the job incomplete. Therefore, the importance of the second round is no less than the first round. God willing, our dear people will all participate, vote, and complete the number in the parliament. A higher voter turnout will lead to a stronger parliament. The stronger the parliament is, the more opportunities there will be to work in the country. May God grant you success. May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you. May God be with you, ladies and gentlemen. May God be with you.
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