Leader: All factions should be able to run for elections
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that the ground should be prepared for the participation of different political factions in the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections.
Addressing a group of Iranians in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the strong presence and active participation of the people in the elections brings about national unity and security that is the basis for scientific progress, economic prosperity and solving economic, political and cultural problems, IRNA reported
He said that the solutions to the country’s problems are elections, warning against certain efforts to discourage people from the ballot boxes.
“Some people constantly remind us of the country’s problems in order to discourage people, while the solutions to the problems are elections, and to solve the problems, one should participate in elections,” the Leader said, according to Press TV.
“Elections are the basis of transformation. Elections prevent dictatorship, chaos and insecurity,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader touched on the concept of the Islamic Republic, explaining that the words “Islamic” and “Republic” are both related to elections.
With Iran facing parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections on March 1, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian people “should be prepared for these two important elections in the best possible way”.
“One is the election of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership, the importance of which lies in the fact that it can choose the right leader for the country when necessary, and over time it can and should take care of maintaining the vital qualifications of leadership in the person of the existing leader. The people of Iran, the people of the provinces should pay attention, be careful and hold these elections in the best way.
“And as for the election of the Islamic Consultative Assembly which is very important, according to the Constitution, the Parliament is the one that lays the rail tracks for the future of the country.
“If the country has problems, to solve these problems, there is a need for legislation and the prudent presence of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. These two elections should be held with dignity,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said scholars, university professors, seminary instructors, radio and television, journalists, young people and people within their families have a duty to invite people to participate in the elections.
“If participation is weak, the Parliament will be weak, and a weak Parliament will not have full ability to solve the problems. If we want to solve the problems, we must increase participation; this is everyone’s duty. Whoever wants to solve the country’s problems, this is the way.”