The Importance of Taking Part in the Elections
Safeguarding the Country and the Islamic Revolution
One of the most basic issues to be considered by everyone is that of maximum participation by the people. One of the most important measures of democracy is how actively people participate in elections and similar national events. All people throughout the world as well as political figures and analysts believe that the most powerful political system is the one with the highest number of participants in the elections. Voter turnout shows the power of a political system. The less the public participate in the elections, the less democratic that government would be considered by the people of the world. The more the number of the people who vote, the stronger the Majlis will be. The more the people vote, the more efficient our Majlis will be. This would empower our Majlis to serve the nation better. Participation in the elections is in fact a sign of voting for the country's independence and also a sign of devotion to the Islamic Republic and the Leader.
Those candidates who are voted for will have to make crucial decisions. A single representative's vote could determine the destiny of the country, a certain group of people, or the economy. Therefore, no one can ever doubt the effect his vote will have on the results of elections. The people should know that they reap what they sow.
Some people may not participate in the elections in protest at why certain things have not been done in the country. Our response to such people is that they should have taken part in the elections to vote for their favorite candidate – the one whom they thought could do what they wanted. That way, what they wished could have been actualized. Our people should not let the elections lose their glory for the sake of their own interests. Every one should take part in the elections. Of course it is not important if those who hold grudges against Islam do not vote in the elections.
Asking people to take part in the elections is not aimed at opposing the enemies' propaganda. Even if people take part in the elections, the enemies will continue their propaganda attacks. Every one should take part in the elections. Elections and the presence of the people on the scene are both a duty and a right for the people. Voting is an Islamic, national, and revolutionary duty. It is a duty that is rooted in our conscience. It is also a political, moral, and divine duty. Taking part in the elections is a divine obligation. The fact that the people should defend their rights warrants such a presence. In an Islamic system, it is the people who decide. Every individual has the right to vote in the parliamentary elections. No one can decide not to exercise this right. This is because the destiny of the system is dependant upon exercising and asserting this right. Voting is a duty.
People's Duty When Electing MPs
Voters should put aside all considerations and not stand on ceremony when voting. They should seek Allah's satisfaction. They should do a lot of research in order to elect the most qualified MPs in the real sense of the word. People should exercise maximum vigilance when voting. They should pay a great deal of attention when electing their favorite candidates. You can form an efficient Majlis by exercising vigilance and care. If you have identified the qualified candidates, go and vote for them. But if you cannot identify the most qualified candidates, then you should consult the people whom you trust. They can provide you with some helpful advice. Those who are going to take part in the elections should seek to get closer to God by voting for the qualified candidates. Those who cast a ballot aiming to strengthen the foundations of the Islamic Republic and to fulfill their duty, and those who vote for a candidate whom they think is the most qualified, will be rewarded by God. The final choice they make may not be correct. However, it is they who should decide. If people vote to foster divine values, they will be rewarded doubly by God.
Providing Suitable Conditions for Participation in the Elections
People will participate in the elections enthusiastically if they feel that their representatives deal with their problems caringly and truly carry out their responsibilities. They will eagerly take part in the elections if they see that the administration officials, who are approved by the MPs, seriously carry out their duties and managerial responsibilities. This is how we should pave the way for the nation's presence in the elections.
The government officials should carry out duties in the best way. If people see such efforts, they will be encouraged to take part in the elections.
I request all the three government branches – the MPs as well as the executive and judiciary officials – to try to maintain a balance in the country's political atmosphere so that people will take part in the elections in a stable atmosphere. The people are eager to take part in the elections. What frustrates them is some of the upsetting events which happen among the government officials.
How to Stage Elections Properly
Forming the Majlis in Due Time
You should try to stage the elections even better than you did in the previous terms. Elections should be held in due time, without even a single day's delay. Forming the Majlis in due time during each term, is indicative of the fact that the efforts of the nation and those who serve the nation – trying to pave the way for holding better elections – have pleased God.
Enthusiastic and Informed Participation
Improper elections are not only those in which the results are rigged. Proper elections are those which are freely and legally held – those in which people take part with enthusiasm. Proper elections are those which are staged enthusiastically by all the people as a religious duty. Free elections are those which are truly indicative of the people's votes. Elections can be said to have been properly held if the results are truly representative of the people's votes and opinions, and if efforts are made to increase the degree of awareness among the people – so that the participants will make the right choice. The Islamic Republic can be assured of moving towards its goals and ideals if, by Allah's favor, there is maximum public awareness in the elections to choose the most pious and qualified candidates – those who deserve to be the representatives of this nation.
The general atmosphere during the elections should be a healthy one. The atmosphere of the electoral campaign should be different than that of the common propaganda which is broadcast in the world. The electoral campaigns should be run by observing moral limits. Such campaigns should be launched without deceiving the people or accusing the other candidates. Political differences or differences of opinion are a natural phenomenon in the elections. There are no barriers against healthy electoral competitions, but vilifying one another, degrading the country and its sympathetic officials, and upsetting the people's minds are not acceptable to us. Raising doubts in the people’s minds about the elections is not acceptable. Such acts should be abandoned. The people should consciously reflect on the issue, make their choice, and then express their opinions through their votes. This is the true and Islamic form of elections in which everyone consciously pledges their allegiance to the Islamic system. If held properly, elections are the manifestation of public devotion, and this is indeed very important. This is a prerequisite to the proper staging of the elections. The honorable candidates who are present on the scene should not disregard the values of the Islamic Republic in their electoral campaigns. They should refrain from citing false statistics. They should speak to the people with utmost honesty, and should not undermine the people's national unity. They should not say anything that would undermine our national unity. They should not say anything that would undermine our national unity only to attract the votes of a particular group or party. They should not make promises which they cannot fulfill. The candidates' promises should be within the framework of the Constitution and based on the current resources available in the country. They can promise the people that they will exert maximum efforts, by relying on God and the people, to take charge of the country's affairs and push ahead with their plans. The candidates should not run costly campaigns. Neither the candidates nor those who support them should be extravagant in their electoral campaigns. The officials in charge are required to carefully deal with any reports of extravagance in electoral campaigns. If, God forbid, some people exceeded the legal limits and used public funds to advertise for certain candidates, they should be introduced to the officials in charge and prosecuted. The results should also be reported to me.
Legal Supervision over Elections
Some people make accusations against governmental organizations. This is an unlawful practice. Governmental organizations including the Interior Ministry – which is in charge of staging elections – and the Guardian Council – which is the trustworthy supervisor of elections – have their own responsibilities and regulations. Both the executive branch and the executive bodies supervising the elections as well as the organizations which are run under their supervision should act in accordance with the law. The law should be the yardstick. Everyone is required to obey the law. I have full trust in the organizations which are in charge of holding the elections. They are all making serious efforts and doing their best. I have full trust in all the organizations in charge.
An atmosphere of political turmoil and disgust is harmful to our elections. The three government branches should try to maintain a balance in the country's political atmosphere so that people will take part in the elections in a peaceful atmosphere. Now that we are about to hold the elections in our country, we should try to have a calm, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere so that the people will be encouraged to take part in the elections. The atmosphere should be relaxed and everyone should be on the alert in this regard. All the organizations which are in one way or another involved in the elections – including the honorable Guardian Council, the Interior Ministry and the disciplinary forces – should take this issue into consideration. Those who are in charge of this sacred event should be in full agreement with one another and cooperate with one another in this regard. I hope that there is a maximum level of agreement among those in charge of holding the upcoming elections.
Security and peace should be maintained in the country in order to hold the elections properly. There are some people who are after opportunities to put the country in a state of tension and turmoil. There are probably some people who are trying to cause turmoil in the country during the election time. Even if they do not succeed in doing so, they will try to create mental tension and turmoil. Those who do so are not devoted to the country and the people's interests. Those who do so do not pursue the interests of the people. Rather, they are trying to serve the interests of the foreigners. Therefore, if some candidates are deemed qualified for the elections and some are not or if some of the candidates are voted for but others are not, people should not be provoked to protest at why some candidates were disqualified. Such acts are seditious. Seditious acts are in fact aimed at promoting the interests of the arrogant powers and causing turmoil in the country.
I advise those who try to cause turmoil in the country to stop troubling the people. There are some people who imagine that elections cannot be held without hatred, bearing grudges, and slandering others. This is not the case. It is possible to stage enthusiastic and free elections without these. Everyone should try to contribute to the proper staging of the elections.
The Presence of People with Different Views in the Elections
The different political groups should take part in all the elections and decision-making events across the country. These events are not limited to a specific group or political party. Everyone should take part in the elections. This is what we know from experience. This is for the country's benefit and a source of progress for our people. It is a benefit to the country if people from different groups and with different political views take part in the elections. In this case, the results of the elections will be accepted by everyone. It really makes no difference which candidates with what political orientation are elected. It makes no difference which group wins the majority of the votes. We should provide the suitable conditions for more political groups to take part in the elections. Not even one single group, even in a small town, should feel that they are left out of the elections. All the people should feel free to vote for their favorite candidate.
Compensating For the Negative Consequences
Despite all the positive aspects and the enthusiasm and excitement characterizing the elections, tensions are usually caused among different groups and people during every electoral term. Such tensions are created among different political groups as well as among those with different thoughts and political orientations. Even those who follow the same line of policies may suffer such from such tensions. The tensions which are caused during the elections should be resolved after the elections. This negative consequence should be dealt with after the elections. This cannot be done alone by a specific organization or authority. The responsibility should be shouldered by everyone. The responsibility falls – in the first place – on the shoulders of those who rank highest.
The importance of the second round of elections is no less than the fist round. The importance of the second round can be said to be greater than the first round due to certain reasons. Our dear people should regard participation in the second round of the elections as an act that is as important as participation in the first round. They should take part in the elections and not think that runoff elections are of no consequence. The enthusiasm and great presence of our people should be manifested again in places where runoff elections are held.
The Necessity of the Presence of the Youth
Our youth should look upon participation in the elections as a great and righteous deed. The youth who take part in the elections for the first time celebrate carrying out this political duty for the first time. Such a celebration happens on a day when they go, for the first time, to vote for a candidate – either an MP, a member of the city council, or the president.
Doubts over the Involvement of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) In the Elections
Just because some Basijis say a few things here and there – in Tehran or some other city – there are some people who say: The IRGC is manipulating the election results and things like that. What do these words mean? Of course as our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) said, the IRGC, the Army, and the Armed Forces, in general, should not interfere in political affairs. However, this does not mean that a great force like the Basij does not have the right to take part in the elections in a suitable way. Why do some people mix different issues up? The IRGC members should act wisely on all fronts like the other groups of people. Of course what was said and meant by the late Imam – the fact that IRGC members should not interfere in political affairs – still remains in force. This does not mean a change of policy on our part as some might imagine. It is not the case that the Imam told the Armed Forces not to enter the political arena and that we are doing the opposite now. This is not the case. We follow what the Imam said. But what some people say is not what was meant by the late Imam. Those who hold moral values, our faithful youth, and the best youth of our country should participate in the elections. They should be present in the polls and act as supervisors. They should stop others from violating the law. These acts are not against the law.
The Guardian Council
The Importance of the Guardian Council
The issue of the Guardian Council is a great and unique issue in our Constitution. It is not logical to think that a system which has its own principles, goals, and values could continue to fulfill its responsibilities in the absence of a system responsible to guarantee the legitimacy of the policies which are pursued by the government. The legitimacy of the Majlis is dependant upon obeying divine rules. In an Islamic system, all the parts and elements fall in the same category. The honorable Guardian Council which protects and supervises the legitimacy of the laws will contribute to the perfection and the Islamic nature of this system on a daily basis.
Guaranteeing the Legitimacy of Elections
The responsibility of the Guardian Council to supervise and guarantee the accuracy of elections is among the most important responsibilities assigned to the Guardian Council in the Constitution. Without the supervision of the Guardian Council, and without verifying the accuracy of the elections, the very issue of elections will be questioned and will lose its legitimacy. Supervising the elections is a very important issue. This is because the accuracy of the elections will result in the legitimacy of the Majlis, which will in turn result in the legitimacy of the law. The supervision of the Guardian Council is based on the law and the Constitution. The supervision of the Guardian Council – which is also accompanied by the right to make appropriate decisions in due time – is aimed at preventing disqualified candidates from occupying critical positions in the Majlis and other crucial decision-making centers in the country. This kind of supervision is useful. We should pay no attention to the propaganda which is broadcast in this regard. The important issue for every person and organization is to know what their responsibilities are and what they do. The Guardian Council and what it does during the elections should reflect the nation's trust.
The Criteria for the Guardian Council's Supervision
We have stipulated certain conditions for the Leader, the president, the ministers, and the MPs in the Constitution. These positions can only be occupied under the conditions stipulated. These are the necessary criteria, which if met, make one qualified to undertake those responsibilities and to exercise the power which is given to one as a result.
Supervision should be exercised on the basis of the law and the regulations specified, not on the basis of personal views and interests.
You – the members of the Guardian Council – should never pursue personal interests. It should not be the case that you judge, based on your personal view, that disqualifying a particular candidate will be harmful to the Majlis. No considerations should prevent you from implementing the law. All your decisions should be evaluated against the law and the regulations specified. Personal views should not influence your decisions. Political and party orientations should not be allowed to come into play. The criterion should be the law. Those who criticize us and try to find faults with the Guardian Council claim that the decisions of the Guardian Council are based on the political orientation of its members. This is not true. Some people may of course have some misunderstandings at times, which is a different issue, but the yardstick is the law.
Qualifying or disqualifying the candidates is a duty. Deprived of this right, there will be no other rights to be asserted [by the Guardian Council]. Verifying the candidates' qualification is among the responsibilities of the Guardian Council, and this right is to be strongly exercised. But the criteria for qualification should not be too tight. This means that the qualifications which are deemed essential for our MPs should be specified. It must be specified how important it is to meet the conditions for qualification – such as devotion to the Constitution and Islam. The issue could well fall on a hierarchy of importance varying form more important to less important. Intense devotion – which means even small mistakes are unacceptable – may not be a necessary requirement for the MPs. But this is a necessary condition for the Leader or other high-ranking officials. A certain degree of such devotion is necessary to enter the Majlis. This is what we refer to as the necessary qualifications. The limits should be truly specified and observed.
There might be certain weaknesses in some people, but it is not necessary to exaggerate those weaknesses. It is not possible to make accusations against the people for small mistakes. We should abandon the habit of exaggerating trivial issues and being narrow-minded. The criteria should be truly specified and understood. Then the candidates should only be qualified or disqualified on the basis of these criteria. These criteria should not be overlooked, or neglected.
You must consider others qualified unless the opposite is proven. That is to say, just because you were not completely certain at the time of vetting is not a firm basis to disqualify a certain candidate. On the contrary, you must give the candidate the benefit of the doubt. All those who have decided to become candidates must be considered qualified unless the opposite is proven, in which case you must not listen to anybody who tries to persuade you to act against the proven fact. However, unless it is proven that the candidate is unqualified, he or she must be given the benefit of the doubt. In this case, there is no need to verify the candidate's qualification in other ways. I believe this is a totally acceptable vetting process as far as MPs are concerned. This is especially true of the candidates whose qualifications have been verified in previous elections.
The Need for Protecting the Individuals' Reputation
Those who have been disqualified by the Guardian Council have been rejected on the basis of the law. This does not mean that they are evil. The law has specified some conditions and the Guardian Council – quite truthfully – qualifies some and disqualifies others according to these conditions. For those who are left out, it means that they did not meet the conditions. They might well be very righteous people. Of course, there are some evil people among them as well. People's reputation should be protected. The reasons for disqualification should not be publicized or revealed. The candidates should not be slandered. Of course there are some people who might ask for the reason why some nominees were disqualified. If there is any information that can be revealed, it is not wrong to do so. But if there is any information that should not be revealed, then the reason should be kept secret. People should not be disgraced by revealing secret information about them.
Plots Against the Guardian Council
The Guardian Council is one the main government bodies that is constantly targeted by the negative propaganda on the part of the enemies of the Islamic Republic – they will probably never stop such attacks. They are dissatisfied with the existence of this important and influential council. One of the points they constantly mention is the issue of the Guardian Council's supervision or the issue of disqualifying certain candidates. Their purpose is to undermine the authority of the Guardian Council and to prepare the ground for those who are opposed to the late Imam (r.a) and the Islamic Republic to penetrate the legislative branch. The Guardian Council acts as a barrier to the achievement of these goals.
Political Competition in the Majlis
There should be no pointless arguments in the Majlis. If the Islamic Consultative Assembly turned into a place for some candidates to settle individual matters, then the rights of the devoted MPs would be violated. Matters should be discussed in a manner similar to that of discussions held in Islamic seminaries. Imam Khomeini (r.a) used to advise the MPs to argue in this way. He advised the MPs not to let their differences of opinion reach a level that would please the enemies.
Political turmoil is harmful to the country. It will be harmful to the country if some people raise a new issue everyday and draw public attention to such fictitious matters. Such acts are harmful to the country. The country's political atmosphere should be calm so that the government and the officials can carry out their duties. Under political tension, even the easiest tasks will be very difficult to do. No one is allowed to heighten political tensions in the country. One of the worst mistakes for political activists would be to try to create division and find fault with one another. There are some people who not only engage in political arguments themselves, but also try to make believe that the Leader and other organizations are also engaged in such arguments. This is not true.
Although the different political parties that have been formed are in fact a kind of faction and I do not intend to misinterpret their function – every political group has its own slogans and set of beliefs – if you delve deep into the matter, you will realize that they all pursue the same goal and support the same ideals. It will be a great achievement for the country and the political parties themselves if they settle their differences. It would be useful if the different political groups – those who are in the Majlis and other places – met every now and again to discuss the common points which they share. How many points are there over which you do not agree? Are those differences more important than the commonalities? Is there anybody who would say so? Who could possibly make such a claim? The country's two political wings should establish new borders. Firstly, they should narrow the gap and be more friendly towards one another. Secondly, they should widen the gap between themselves and the outsiders.
Enemies' Plots against the Elections
Opposing the existence of elections
The enemies want no elections to be held in our country. If they had an influence over the people or the political groups, they would try to prevent the staging of all elections. Why is that? This is because they are seeking proof for the claim that there is no democracy in Iran. If we hold elections in our country, their plots will be foiled.
Opposing the Presence of People in the Elections
There are some people who are trying behind the scenes to cause turmoil in the country during the elections. Even if they cannot cause any turmoil, they try to disturb the public mind and create fake crises. These people do not intend to serve the country. They are not devoted to the nation. Rather, they are outsiders who try to betray the country. The Iranian nation should stay vigilant against these plots. The main issue is the opposition of these people to Islam. Their opposition is mainly aimed at the Islamic Republic. What is the purpose of the propaganda which is broadcast from radio programs across the world about the elections in our country? What they say is definitely aimed at getting our country into trouble. They know that the presence of people in the elections would strengthen the foundations of the Islamic Republic. They intend to undermine the importance of the Majlis. If they can do something to prevent the people from taking part in the elections – which are the manifestation of the people's presence – they will do so. They are even ready to provide the necessary funds to prevent our elections from being properly held. They try to play down the importance of the elections in order to minimize public presence in the elections.
Besides being dissatisfied with the people's presence in the elections, the enemies try just as much to play down the nation's success if elections are held successfully. If they do not manage to do so, they will say: the elections were rigged or that there has been discrimination against certain groups in the elections. They will try to question the Guardian Council over why some candidates were qualified or disqualified. They will say these things under any circumstances. Even if we stage elections once a week rather than once a year, they will say these things at the end. The enemies are opposed to enthusiastic and free elections with a huge turnout.
Majlis and Its Cooperation with Other Branches
Cooperation among Government Branches
The enemies are longing to see discord develop among the three government branches. The officials should stay vigilant and not let this happen. The government branches should try to promote the success of other branches. Today, the cure for many of the country's problems is that the three government branches should cooperatively pursue the plans which have been organized to achieve the goals of the Islamic Republic and to provide comfort for the people. One of the means of ensuring practical success and gaining national satisfaction is to maintain cooperation among the different organizations and the three government branches.
Cooperation between the Majlis and the Three Government Branches
Logical cooperation with other government branches is a duty upon the Majlis. Such cooperation should be based on unanimity. This duty is best carried out if it is accompanied by exercising legal supervision and institutionalizing accountability among other branches.
Cooperation between the Majlis and the Administration
Naturally, there are close bonds between the Majlis and the administration. To form such a relationship on the basis of the right principles is one of the most important duties of the honorable MPs. Passing laws that will oblige and enable the administration to correctly manage the country's affairs as well as supervising the enforcement of the law is one of the duties of the Majlis. This necessitates cooperation and unanimity between the Majlis and the administration. It also necessitates that the Majlis support the administration. The administration and the Majlis should move hand in hand. The Majlis should help the administration. This cooperation should be based on mutual understanding so that the country can make progress and not fall behind. This relationship should be such that it would allow the administration to rely on the Majlis when dealing with great tasks. This will enable the administration to make use of the wisdom and prudence of the MPs to carry out its difficult duties.