The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received thousands of the Iranian people from various social strata on Wednesday, December 13.
In an address to the audience, the Leader described as very significant the upcoming elections for the Experts Assembly and Islamic councils slated for Friday, December 15. He called on the Iranian people to vote at the forthcoming elections for the most competent, dedicated and pious candidates who are committed to the ideals and objectives of the Iranian nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the participation of any nation in elections is a sign of vitality and awareness of that nation. He added that the Iranian people have massively taken part in all the elections held in the country in the post-revolution era, thus exercising their power to choose their representatives and indicating their dynamism and political wisdom.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the realization of the majority's view as another significant aspect of elections.
"Elections pave the way for the expression and realization of the majority's view in a society, and this is what is going to happen through the upcoming elections on Friday," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the elections for the Experts Assembly as among the most significant elections in the country.
"Those elected to the Experts Assembly should be trustworthy, pious, prudent and righteous individuals, and they should always be ready to carry out in a proper manner their major task of nominating the Leader of the Islamic Republic when it is necessary to do so. Therefore, in view of the great significance of this assembly, the people should vote for the best and the most eligible candidates," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
As regards the significance of the elections for the Islamic city and rural councils, the Leader stated that councilors should be characterized by deep faith and devotion, reliability and honesty. He called on the Iranian people to vote for those candidates who, in addition to the above features, are also characterized by efficiency, dynamism and eagerness to serve the public, so that many of the problems facing the people in their everyday lives may be solved.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the incessant attempts made by the enemies of the Iranian nation to dispirit and dishearten the public and dissuade them from going to the polls.
"Those claiming to advocate democracy aim to undermine the institutions emanating from the religious democracy in Iran by trying to dilute the presence of the Iranian nation at the polls. But the Iranian people, who are well aware of the objectives pursued by the enemies of Islam and Iran, will once again thwart them in their goals," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader called the presence of the Iranian people at the polls on Friday a sign of their awareness and political vitality in the eyes of the world public. He added that, by divine assistance, the Iranian people including men and women and the young and the old, through their high turnout at the polling stations on Friday, will open a new chapter in the management of those institutions.
"The glorious participation of the Iranian people in all the elections held in Iran over the past 27 years has always indicated their firm intention to seal the fate of their country. But the many blessings of the Iranian people's presence on the scene are not only limited to elections, as the country's increasing progress and the rising status of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region and in the world are also among the positive effects of this decisive presence," the Leader observed.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the insistence of the Iranian people on their right to the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy as a manifestation of their national will and as an instance of the Iranian people's presence on the scene, a presence inspired by their political awareness.
"With respect to the issue of nuclear energy, the world's major powers have been demanding that Iran should not gain access to this advanced technology. However, the Iranian people have unanimously insisted on their right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and, consequently, attained a very high level of progress. But of course this is not all, as the Iranian people are going to accomplish greater progress and more achievements in the field of nuclear energy," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the Iranian people's interest in the country's major issues, especially the country's progress, and their insistence on the government officials' adherence to Islamic and revolutionary values as well as the Iranian people's concern about regional and world issues, including the issues of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, as the signs of the Iranian people's liveliness and presence on the scene.
"Today, the Iranian people are the main decision-makers in the country, and this is something which ensures a bright future and promising prospects for the Islamic Republic," the Leader remarked.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Iranian people for their national unity. He stressed that the Iranian people, including the youth and especially the educated class, will build a bright future for Iran through their firm determination, high intelligence and earnest endeavors, but he added that the main prerequisite for success in this regard is the boosting of national will and solidarity.