Elections

Elections
17/03/2008

Supreme Leader's View on Elections

• Importance of Presidential Elections
• Enemy's Aims and Plots to Oppose People's Presence in the Elections
• Main Duty and Responsibilities of the President
• Characteristics of Qualified Presidents

Importance of Presidential Elections

Presidential Elections: One of Islam's Honors

Elections are the symbol of the Islamic movement in our country. Elections are the gift of Islam to our country. Our magnanimous Imam Khomeini taught us the principles of elections-based Islamic government. An image of the Islamic Revolution as hereditary rule had been created in the minds of the world. They thought of the Islamic Revolution as a government similar to the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties or as one similar to the Ottoman Turks` rule: someone with the name and look of a caliph, but with the inner qualities and practices of Pharaohs and dictators, someone who by himself introduces his successor to be crowned as king after his death. Islamic rule was portrayed this way for people in the world, which was the biggest insult to Islam and Islamic rule. Imam Khomeini redefined Islamic rule for our nation which is in fact elections based on people's votes, their presence on the scene and the ultimate appointment of those elected by people. This is from Islam and we actualize in our country.

Today in our country, officials at different levels have been elected by people, either directly or indirectly. There are no such things in the system of the Islamic Republic as 'imposed officials', hereditary positions or positions occupied for the sake of money and material things. Presidential elections, parliamentary elections, elections for the Assembly of Experts as well as those of the city councils, are among the honors of the Iranian nation, Islam, and the late Imam Khomeini. Our constitution has, through specific regulations of the crucial and regular short-term elections, been able to win favor with faithful, bright and intelligent minds in the Islamic world.

The foundations of religion-based democracy are different than those of the Western democracy. Religion-based democracy - as the basis of our elections and one that has originated from God and divine duties of humans - is not just a convention. All humans have the right to choose and to determine their destiny. This is what underlies the definition of elections by the government of the Islamic Republic. This is a great deal more advanced, meaningful and deeply-rooted than what currently constitutes liberal democracy in the West. This is part of what we are proud of and we must protect this.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech at 16th commemoration ceremony of Imam Khomeini's (RA) demise on June 4, 2005)

Taking Part in Elections: Right and Duty of the People

The reliance of the government on people's votes is the manifestation of one of the arenas in which people play a role. Presence of people on the scene and having faith in the public must be manifested here. It has always been emphasized both in our constitution as well as in our Imam's advice and lessons that a government is in fact of no value without support from its people and their votes. Officials must be voted into office by people. The government must move on the basis of people's votes. Presidential elections, parliamentary elections, elections of the Assembly for Experts, and other elections are manifestations of people's presence on the scene and of taking their votes and will into account. This is one of the arenas. Therefore, our magnanimous Imam Khomeini adhered strongly to these elements on this scene during his life and reflected this in his will as well. He also advised people and officials to stick to such principles. In fact, elections and the presence of people in presidential and parliamentary elections and in other decision-making arenas are both their right and a duty that is placed on their shoulders. In an Islamic government, people are the determining factor. This fact has its roots in Islam.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech in the congregation of Imam Khomeini pilgrims June 4, 2001)

Islamic Republic and Its Real Democracy

Today the Islamic Republic - which is a religious rule and whose value-based rules and principles are rooted in religion - is in every sense of the word a democratic system. There is no Islamic country that has such far-reaching democracy, as the democracy that exists in the Islamic Republic. Of course this is a bitter reality for our enemies. They cannot stand to see the flag of religion and democracy raised together before their eyes. They are trying to create a gap between religion and democracy. Therefore, the realities of the Islamic Republic cause them pain. In order to divert global public opinion away from this glorious fact, they invite the Iranian nation to democracy through various tools, media, and propaganda machines! This is one of greatest jokes for us today and at this point in history.

Those who accept and support the oppressive Pahlavi regime and its autocracy during that period, those who support military coups d'état and regimes not understanding or showing any signs of democracy, are calling the Islamic Republic to democracy, a government that has during the 24 years of its existence held more than twenty elections and whose leader, president, members of the parliament and other members of the government are either directly or indirectly elected by the people. Unlike the situation in our country, there is no democracy or public interest to take part in the elections in order to elect government officials in the U.S. This is while it is that country where our enemies and the lying Americans call our nation to democracy. The current American president has come into power in a manner contrary to all principles of democracy in his country. This is a fact everyone is aware of. They compromise with autocratic rulers because they are submissive. They accept governments formed through coups d'état because they are subservient to their officials. But they criticize the Islamic Republic because it relies on its own values, believes in independence and is not willing to accept their dominance. And they accuse us of autocracy and dictatorship which are more suitable brands for their own governments.

Today, all efforts among the front that opposes Islam are aimed at eradicating Islamic vigilance that has been awakened in the world. And they have focused on our country and nation more than anywhere else, because the Iranian nation acted as a symbol to the world and was able to create a new wave of Islamic vigilance in Muslim countries and draw Islamic nations' attention toward itself through its principles, the new conceptions it introduced to all Muslims in the world, its whole-hearted resistance and the bravery Iranian men and women - young or old - manifested during the last 24 years of the Islamic Revolution. That is why they are particularly antagonistic towards this focal center of Islamic vigilance more than ever before. And they demonstrate this hostility through their spitefulness, malice, false propaganda and bad temper. And their goal is to intimidate the Iranian nation and its authorities as well as anybody else and to make use of our past unsuccessful experiences, which have made them so arrogant, to make such a great nation and such a strong government retreat against them.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech at t he 14th commemoration ceremony of founder of Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini's demise on June 4, 2003)

Islamic Republic: A Powerful and Populist Government

The Islamic Revolution has assigned all the responsibility in all arenas to the people since the very first day of its existence. That is, the parliament as a law making center is formed through the people's votes. The representatives of the public make laws there and no one has the right to impose any MPs on the public. People elect the president as the law enforcer, and the top executive authority in charge of the country, with their own votes. They elect whoever they will and it is totally up to them to do so.

The conditions in which presidential elections are held in Iran do not exist even in the democratic countries of the West. Because in those countries parties stand against one another and every single party proposes a different candidate as its representative. Those voting for that specific candidate in fact vote for that party, there are many who do not even know the candidate. They support a certain party under any circumstances, and different economic, political and non-political motives inspire them to support a given party, and because they support that party they vote for its representative while they do not know the candidate himself at all. But this is not the case in our country. In Iran every single person casting a ballot does indeed know the candidate and votes for him as the president...

The result is a government which is strong because it is based on the public's vote. A government that can be overthrown by superpowers is one that does not rely on its people. A rule or a government that can be formed or overthrown in a country by the U.S. intelligence agents is one having no ties with people and one that does not benefit from strong public support. A government that foreign opposition can get a number of people to lead a coup de'tat against is one confined to the monarchy that has no ties with the people. People make their own movements and the government makes its own.

The government the Islamic Republic is a political system in which the ruler - the Leader, the President, the head of the Judiciary or the Parliament - is reliant on, tied to, and favored and supported by people. A government that neither the U.S. and its allies nor the East and the West - when there were two superpowers in the world - nor any other power in the world is able to overthrow or even weaken.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech at Friday prayers Feb. 9, 1990)

Elections: Both a Right and a National Duty

Our country is based on people's votes. The reason why this nation's enemies and those casting covetous eyes on this country have not been able to do any harm to us during the last 26 years, is the participation, determination and presence of people on different scenes. Your demonstrations on February 11 and on Quds Day as well as your participation in various elections in the past years have insured this country against all attacks. Participation in determining the destiny of the country is not only influential in the management of the country and the election of this management, but also plays the most important role in foiling the enemies' plots.

The next issue is that elections are both a right and a national duty for the nation. The Islamic Republic abolished all systems appointed by various powers and made the people's role in the country's elections dominant. On the one hand, this is a right for all people to be able to take part in the elections and to have a role in electing the head of the administration. On the other hand, it is a duty as well, because participation in the elections maintains the feeling of responsibility and high spirits in the country. It proves the presence of our people on the scene to the enemies of this nation. Elections are not only a duty. They are not just a right either. They are both a right and a public duty.

The next issue is that this years' presidential elections are more important compared to other elections. And this is because the country's 4th development plan will start in 2006. This is the first plan in the course of implementing the Twenty-Year Strategic Program. Today our country has with Allah's assistance been able to reach a degree of capability and power that enables us both to make plans for the next twenty years of the country and to offer bright prospects for this period, prospects that predict we will achieve our lofty goals and give our people their natural and deserved rights. This twenty-year period is divided into four 5-year periods, the first of which is going to start this year. At the beginning of this program an efficient, qualified and enthusiastic president must be in charge so that he can build the structure and firmly establish the foundations of this program. The importance of this election is due to the fact that the Iranian nation is determined to elect a president who is capable of removing the obstacles in the path of our nation to implement this program. A powerful, qualified and enthusiastic person who is eager to work and undertake responsibilities will be able to make a powerful start on this twenty-year movement toward the goals - which starts this year. The president the Iranian nation elects, will make a start. In fact he will lead the country into a new era and will redirect us on the path towards what the Iranian nation actually needs. Within the previous years, since the start of the war and up to the present, several things have been achieved in this country: building the infrastructure of the country, carrying out different construction projects as well as making scientific and technological advances, and anyone who denies these achievements is being unfair.

What is significant today is that all the great structures created and built during this period should have implications for people's lives. The huge amount of water stored behind this dam must be pumped onto people's farms, and the results of these efforts must be tangible in people's lives. This is a great job. It requires the removal of the obstacles in the way. Electing a strong and capable president is, therefore, one of the duties of the Iranian nation this year.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech at Imam Reza's shrine March 21, 2005)

Elections: One of the Most Important Arenas for Enthusiastic Participation of the Public

This year marks another presidential election in our country, and this is happening at an important point. Every election is to our country like a fresh breeze that changes the air and fills it with a pleasant aroma. It creates a new atmosphere in the country and fills our hearts with new hopes. Elections - especially presidential elections - are one of the most consequential, enthusiastic and brilliant instances of public presence on the scene.

This election is very important to our nation, as it is to our enemies. The enemies' propaganda has since the last few months been focused on the presidential elections on June 17. What they expect from the elections is exactly the opposite of our national interests and what our nation pursues. They want the elections to be dull and the people not to take part in the elections. They do not want the elections to create a feeling of assurance and trust in people. Today the foreign propagandists are focusing on these points. They are trying to make people disappointed, unfaithful and indifferent towards the elections, exactly the opposite of what is significant for our country and nation.

Elections can be a means of security and an indication of authority for our nation, and they can make the nation and the country's executive branch stronger than before in tackling various global challenges. Elections can rejuvenate the Islamic Republic government. An enthusiastic election on the part of people can create a new turning point for them. Elections are one of the most important and basic events at the international level and in the view of outsiders. They are also important domestically and for the development of the country. Our enemies do not want elections. If they could have an effect on people or on political groups, they would arrange for the elections not to be held, exactly what they were willing to do in the 7th parliamentary elections. They were inclined to cancel the elections.

That an Islamic government - one holding the flag of religion and monotheism - can so evidently, conspicuously and expressively manifest democracy before the eyes of the world, is exactly the opposite of the hegemonic propaganda of the liberal democrat communities. They want to make believe that democracy is confined to them. They cannot stand an Islamic and religion-based system institutionalizing democracy through its lofty belief system. Within 25 years, at least 25 elections have been held in this country. People have cast their ballots exercising their wills and electing their favorite candidates, and they have elected the officials themselves. Therefore, presidential elections are very important.

Elections are around the corner. People must elect their candidates and cast votes in an informed manner. As I previously mentioned, elections are a beautiful and appealing manifestation of public participation. They are the most effective tool for everyone to exercise their will and desires and to turn them into realities. If you elect candidates based on your desires and aspirations, the likelihood of those aspirations turning into realities will increase. If you elect a candidate whom you believe is a suitable and qualified one to exert your wills and who you think is a suitable one to solve your problems in life, you have in fact moved a great step forward to put an end to those problems. Every interest - material or moral - can be actualized in this election which is aimed at determining the head of the executive branch.

(Part of Supreme leader's speech in the great congregation of people in Kerman May 1, 2005)

Public Participation and National Solidarity

We are holding the elections in the next few weeks. This election is a very important one. I also made some statements on elections during my trip to Kerman. Dear brothers and sisters, this election is a very important one. This statement is in fact addressed to the whole Iranian nation. The very act of public presence on the scene is important, because public participation is an indication of national solidarity and this can secure our country against the enemy's plots. Our enemies benefit from disagreements and they will take advantage of our splits. The enemy will take advantage of splits, rabble-rousing and the creation of conflicts inside the country. When a nation is unanimous and when government officials are concordant and cooperative towards one another, the enemy's plots will be foiled and they will not dare to cast evil looks upon or plot against such a nation. Active participation in the elections could manifest such national solidarity before the eyes of the cunning and deceptive enemies and could secure the country and the nation against them. Therefore, I have always mentioned that the very presence of people on the scene is even more important than the election of the most qualified, although that is also very important.

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech in the great congregation of people in Jiroft on May 7, 2005)

Full Participation

We are currently facing the issue of presidential elections as well. This is by itself a great and magnificent arena. The primary issue is that of participation. You must focus on your family and acquaintances as much as you can to get them to take part in the elections. Participation is one of the most fundamental issues. The presence of people is vital to the development and protection of the country. If a large group of people do not take part in the elections, it does not mean that they have rejected their government. This is by no means the case. Those who do not vote to show their disapproval of the regime are very small in number. Some do not take part due to listlessness. Others do not take part because they are not in the mood. Others have to attend to some other business on the weekend. It is upon you to get these people to take part in the elections. There are only a handful of people who do not believe in the regime or the constitution and who are impatiently waiting for the outsiders and their invasion. Their percentage is very low. Many people might not take part in the elections because they are not in the mood or because they do not have the time. These people are not well aware of the importance of this issue. They do not know how consequential their votes can be. They have probably not found their favorite candidate whom they can trust or believe in. Or maybe they did not like the candidates they knew. Your efforts should be targeted at multiplying this presence in the real sense of the word. You are students, scholars and intellectuals, and you are well aware of the criteria. Therefore, look among the candidates to see who meets the Islamic Republic criteria and who is well qualified and has the necessary motivation and capabilities to enter the scene and to tackle various challenges - someone who is not influenced by the enemies and whose presence does not delight our enemies.

Americans - in a manner similar to their previous nonsensical talk - have resumed talking about who should come and who should not. What does this have to do with those ignorant Americans? They are not aware of the fact that people will do the opposite of what they preach. They say: "Why are there any controls at all?", "Why has that group not been able to nominate?", "Why could that candidate not nominate?" There are many cases of pure consultative controls in complex forms in their own countries. There are eliminatory channels in all Western countries. Can they name any candidates in the last two hundred years to have taken office as the president who were not a member of the two famous parties in the U.S.? What does this show?

(Part of Supreme Leader's speech in his meeting with students and professors from Kerman universities May 9, 2005)

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