1) The need for public participation in political matters
Since the country belongs to and is supported by the nation, everyone should be engaged in politics:
“Our word is that not only the clergy, but also all strata should participate in politics. Politics is not a legacy left only to government, parliament or special figures. Politics signifies passing some enactments, laws, etc. to control a country. All citizens have the right to intervene in politics in this sense. It is women’s right and duty to participate in politics. The same holds true for the clergy. Islam is a political religion; everything including even acts of worship in Islam is associated with politics.”
Imam Khomeini believes that such participation and engagement of people has been unprecedented in history such that today all people find themselves being obliged to engage in political and social matters:
“Those who really think about issues should be able to realize the depth of what has taken place in Iran. When in the past fifty years (which some should probably recall) or the past twenty or thirty years (which most of you should remember); when have you ever witnessed the women entering the fray just like the men [as in the present Islamic movement]?! The women would be at the forefront of the demonstrations holding their children in their arms. If a lady had two children, she would carry one in her arms and hold the other child’s hand and came to the demonstrations like that standing up against guns and tanks. Can you and we remember such solidarity among the various groups of people and such vast participation in the state and political affairs? [Before this Islamic movement] when something happened in the country, even the men would not come to know of it, particularly so in a certain quarter of Tehran. The ladies, too, would be indifferent; and so would the people. Even those who were aware did not care. This involvement of the different groups of people [in the affairs] is unprecedented. All people of this nation are involved in the political and social issues and they hold themselves responsible. If certain events occur that are opposed to [Islamic] values, people will not be indifferent, men will not be unconcerned and women will not occupy themselves with something else [instead of taking action].”
2) Election is a clear example of the presence of the people in the political arena of the country
From the viewpoint of Imam Khomeini, the participation of people in elections reflects the political presence of the nation. Furthermore, he states that elections would determine the fate of the nation:
“Of things, I deem necessary to remind today, as it might be late tomorrow, is the question of elections. As I have said repeatedly and as others have also pointed out, no one has a monopoly over elections; neither the clerics nor the political parties no any other group. The election belongs to the entire people. People determine their own destiny. The election affects your destiny. As I have heard, some individuals have gone to universities and said that intervention in election amounts to intervention in politics and this is the right of the mujtahids (religious authorities). Until now, they said mujtahids should not interfere in politics because it was in sharp contrast to their right. However, they suffered defeat there, and now say the opposite of their previous claims. The same motive gives rise to these statements. Moreover, their claim that election is a political issue and the political issues are the domain of the clerics is wrong. Election determines the fate of a nation.”
Therefore, it is the duty of all people to participate widely in the elections:
“The universities should notice that if there are individuals in universities engaged in mischief, they should not be deceived. The students should interfere in the election. The election determines the destiny of those who are there. It is the duty of the nation to interfere in something around which their destiny revolves. It is not the concern of one or two layers; all should interfere. The mischief now in progress, as I have been
told, aims to disappoint our youths. Thwart this mischief and actively participate in the election. You can either directly choose someone without consulting others, or side with a party whose words and candidates you prefer. Anyhow, we should never be negligent of the trick of these traitors.”
Imam Khomeini’s viewpoints on the requirements to holding an election
1. Highest Voter Turnout
From Imam Khomeini’s point of view, the huge turn-out of people for voting is a religious duty:
“People are duty-bound, and bound by shari’ah to give up all those crushing differences. This rule applies to all and is everyone’s duty including me as a theology student sitting here, you scholars and all the scholars in other cities as well as people from different walks of life, not to mention the intellectuals, writers, speakers etc. All should work to prevent constitutional events repeat themselves. Take lessons from those events. If it is repeated, those who are opposed to Islam and the Islamic Republic will take over. This is one of the important issues, about which the gentlemen should warn people.”
Because if few people participate in the elections the Revolution and the government will face failure:
“The first term of Majles in the constitutional movement was not bad and perhaps it was good, but later it gradually reached where they themselves appointed the individuals. We should therefore way that the second term should be better than the first one. People should participate in greater numbers; they should be present in the political arena and not be impressed by anyone. People should consult with scholars and the people they trust. Then they should vote for anyone they like. People should not withdraw. If people withdraw, we will all suffer defeat.”
That is why he calls for a huge turnout for voting:
“My dear ones! The Islamic appraisal has banked its hope in you. You should be up on a fixed day to fix the destiny of the country. Rush towards the ballet boxes to cast your votes. I request you to perform this religious obligation in the highest calm and a consummated demeanour, human and Islamic. I too, despite my present feeble condition shall gird myself to participate.”
Moreover, in his will, Imam Khomeini called for the huge turnout in every election:
“My advice to the honourable nation is to participate actively in all parliamentary and presidential elections and those of the Assembly of Experts to determine the Council of Leadership or the Leader. The election of such representatives should be based on solid and creditable criteria. For example, if the election of the Assembly of Experts is not in conformity to religious laws and standards, irreparable damages would be inflicted on the religion and the country, in which case all would be responsible before God the Exalted.”
2. Public attempts to choose the most eligible
In Imam Khomeini’s view, election, in addition to being a platform for choosing someone, reflects one’s attitudes and desires:
“As regards the upcoming elections, the event is of great significance and all are responsible. You know that the enemies of Islam plan to disrupt the good performance of the elections, stripping Muslims and committed people of ascending power. However, you should exert all your power to perform it efficiently. The election is a good criterion to see whether you want to elect the best for yourselves or Islam. If it is for you, it is satanic. If electing the best is for Muslims, there should not be any objection to who and wherefrom he is. It makes no difference from which group or party he is. If he is not affiliated with any party, it does not mean he is not fit nor is one fit if he is affiliated with a party. Electing the best means that we should choose a person who feels committed to Islam and its prestige, and who understands everything.”
From the point of view of Imam Khomeini, the people of Iran have reached such maturity that they can recognize the most eligible person:
“A sound election should be held through your efforts and the nation’s endeavour. People know the upright persons. We need not teach them for years to have a correct choice. They know the qualified ones. Of course, some elements might occasionally infiltrate into the rank of pious people. Throughout these twenty or thirty years people completely know who is a copy of that root. People have the power of distinction between that sycophant and the Shah’s opponent. It is up to people to choose reputable ones who are servants of people and are concerned about lower classes.”
3) The criterion is the nation’s vote
Imam Khomeini considers the nation’s vote as the criteria in the elections:
“The criterion is the nation’s vote. On some occasions, the nation itself votes; on other occasions, it designated some people to vote. That holds true in the second degree; otherwise, it is the nation’s own right in the first. You gave victims; should the legal experts decide for you? You must decide for yourselves. It is you, this deprived nation, these deprived people of the university, the deprived university youth, these deprived youth of the Feyzieh Seminary, these deprived youths in the army, these deprived youths in the bazaar, these deprived youths in the factories and farms; they must cast their votes. Put your excuses aside; fear God; do not play games with the nation; do not disregard the people’s vote; take them into account.”
Therefore, he believes that elections do not need a guardian to direct people towards favouring a particular person:
“As I have said time and again, the people are free in the elections; people do not need a tutor. No individual, group or faction has the right to impose any candidate on people. Islamic Iran, characterized by political insight and maturity, has accepted the Islamic Republic, its lofty values and the sovereignty of God’s laws, remaining loyal to their noble pledge and commitment. The people are certainly able to identify and elect the best candidate. Of course, consultation in affairs is greatly recommended in Islam. By consultation, people can find responsible and trustworthy candidates among themselves. Individuals, groups and clerics can introduce the candidate in their own constituencies within the deadline declared. However, nobody should expect that others would express their view and show their presence.”
In Imam Khomeini’s view, all members of the society, regardless of their position in the process of the election, have only one vote and that this right cannot be violated:
“Today the country is in your own hands and you have no longer any superior to boss you around. Thank God, we have no one from abroad to dictate to us. No power in Iran can today impose something on us. Today you should sit and do your own work. Elections should not be like in the past when orders came from the center to the effect that certain people were to be representatives. No one has the right to make such dictations. Elections are in the hand of people. The president and prime minister are equal in terms of the election with the subject working on the farm or the worker in the bazaar. The president has one vote, prime minister one vote and that farmer in the remotest part of the country one vote. Their votes are the same. All are responsible. In distinguishing between good and bad, do not rely on the words of others unless they are people whom you completely trust.”
4) The need for election officials to pay attention to their important duties
From Imam Khomeini’s point of view, the most important aspect of the election is the soundness of the election process:
“I want the nation and all classes of people to preserve the Islamic moral with regards to all the affairs particularly the elections. They should not think that the election campaign needs to abuse and scold others, or hampering their work. Of course, there is no objection in inviting the people towards the persons in view to vote. But pay attention to conduct these elections in the same good, calm and healthy atmosphere as you did in the previous presidential election of the Islamic Republic, which became an epitome in Iran. I hope the election will take place as that one happened before. All should be in line with the same aim. Be mindful of the presence of God and His supervision. Do not spoil the appraisal. The enemies are in watch to lay a hand upon something or other to criticize, scalp and scathe. I hope God may help you all. You all may finalize the elections with safety in the same manner as the one for the previous lection.”
Therefore, he urges the election observers to be careful about their behaviour and remarks:
“Now that you want to supervise the elections, you must pay attention to the fact that this regime is a humane-Islamic regime; it is not the oppressive regime. You must not speak a word that tarnishes its name, for example, by doing a certain thing. People should freely elect as they did in the referendum. People must be free to elect. Yes, you furnish the means; supervision over them lest there is misuse and cheating in such things. It should not be like in former times when they would carry away the ballot boxes and fill them up with whatever they wanted and then bring and put them back in place! There should be supervising of the ballot boxes such that no person can cheat. The ballot boxes should be in trustworthy hands; the trustees should be from the people so that later there is no utterance against you that such and such governor, for example, had interfered in the affairs.”
5) The need to watch the activities of the enemy during the elections
In Imam Khomeini’s view, the enemy tries to disrupt the process of holding elections:
“Therefore, pay heed to handle the elections in a way that people would be pleased. The elections should not be organized in a way that is favoured by supposedly the chiefs. We want the people. The people should be satisfied. People should feel that the
elections have been handled in the way electoral law has provided and Islam had recommended. You have to act. Law is something that records and determines our duty. What counts is action. Your action should conform to the law, and gain the satisfaction of people. It is necessary to be careful so that troublemakers cannot sabotage your plans. Of course, in time of elections, a group of saboteurs will appear, disrupt the process, and make a fuss. Strong strops such movements.”
Hence, he urged people to be vigilant against the enemy conspiracies:
“I am afraid of the widespread propaganda launched by the enemies of the Islamic appraisal and the adversaries of the Islamic Republic during a one-year period showing their efforts towards weakening it. Recently, their propaganda and rumours have reached a climax as the dear and the vigilant nation has paced a step further that is the last step of victory. They are not to give in nor give up their grip to any hold because they and the ones they inspire see themselves close to an obvious triumph. Our dear youths have moved this Islamic appraisal forward by their limitless courage. At this final stage, they may not show any indication of somnolence, lethargy, or idleness. All these rumours should not be proved efficacious on them. As a result, it is not so happy that they abstain from this Islamic issue of life and death. I hope you will fulfill my well-wishing and humble request because I have spent my unworthy life in the way of serving Islam, which I have presented to the noble nation wrapped up with affection and held on to sincerity and extended at the stretch of love. Therefore, please cut the hope of the enemies of the Islamic Republic and the accessories of the past depraved regime and its cronies particularly the tyrant the United States. This you can do by taking part in the elections — all of you.”
Conclusion
Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has always emphasized in his remarks on establishing a government based on Islam and the vote of people believing that people are the real owners of the government and that their participation guarantees the continuation of the revolution. He called for the huge turnout in the elections and given the importance and the role of people in this process, the officials, candidates and media should try to prepare the ground for the maximum participation of people in the elections because otherwise the enemy’s propaganda campaign in other countries along with the political losers inside the country would exploit the situation in an attempt to show the inefficiency of the Revolution and make people despair of it and the government.
Archive of Imam Khomeini
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