Interviewer: In these first moments of voting in the 13th Presidential election, which coincides with the 6th elections for the Islamic city and village councils, the midterm elections for the 5th Assembly of Experts and the midterm elections for the 11th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, if you have any advice for the honorable people of Iran, please go ahead.
Imam Khamenei: In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praise is due to God, the Lord of the Worlds, and may peace and greetings be upon Prophet Muhammad and upon his pure Household.
The day of the elections is the day of the Iranian nation. The people are the ones who are controlling what is happening today. It is the people who determine the general and basic course of action in the country for years to come by going to the ballot boxes and casting their votes.
This day belongs to the people. Whatever the people do on this day - going to the ballot boxes and casting their votes - will shape their destiny for several years to come. This is exactly why wisdom and reason tell us that everyone should take part in this great, national test throughout the country.
The reason we repeatedly ask people to participate in the elections is that this participation primarily influences the people. On the other hand, the country and the Islamic Republic of Iran will gain great advantages in the international arena due to the people’s participation. But it is the people who primarily benefit from this.
Come (to the ballot boxes), discern (which candidate is best) and cast your vote. This is what is important for the country’s future and the future of every single person.
Even one vote is important. No one should say their one vote is not effective. Every one vote is definitely important. I believe that you should participate with a pure, divine intention. It is these single votes that make up the millions of votes of the nation. I believe you should come to the elections with a divine intent, gain divine reward and do this.
I advise you to do this important, necessary action as soon as possible. I always say this. Yes, there are many hours left until the allotted time finishes, but the sooner you do this divine duty and action the better. I hope God, the Almighty, gives blessings to your votes, by His grace. God willing, you can form a promising future for yourself and every single person in the nation.
We hope, with the blessing of Imam Ridha (pbuh)–and these days are his days, this will be a day of celebration for the Iranian nation, and this will happen. With God’s help, the nation will benefit, God willing. I thank those responsible for conducting the elections. I emphasize that this task be carried out determinedly in all areas of the country. I also say hello to you honorable journalists and photographers. May God give you strength.
May God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
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