Text of the Interview with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution During the Ninth Presidential Election

I thank you very much for providing us with this opportunity. I see that only a few minutes have passed since the beginning of the voting for the ninth presidential election, and you have already been present at the ballot box. What is the reason for your commitment to being present at the voting ceremony in the first moments?

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. It is better for a person to perform good deeds as soon as possible. A person does not know what will happen an hour later. I have the opportunity and ability at the beginning of the time, and I am alive; therefore, I hasten towards this task.

Participation in elections is a righteous act; this righteous act should be performed with eagerness and at the right time. Many actions have a specific time frame; the presidential election is one of them. Today, if we Iranians take action to choose, we have created an opportunity for ourselves and our country. If I, as an Iranian, do not perform this righteous act today, it is not the case that I can do it tomorrow or five days later or ten days later; no, this righteous act cannot be performed for another four years.

A believer and wise person performs actions at the right time. Today, from 9 o'clock until the end of the time, is the time to perform this righteous act. Fortunately, our people have shown until today that they understand the importance and meaning of this act. When we come to the ballot box within the framework of the constitutional law and vote, we are, in fact, voting for the constitutional law and for the system; we vote for whoever we choose. Now, seven candidates are proposed for the presidency; by voting for any of them, we have, in fact, voted for the system. This means we have done two things: one for a person and one for the system and the constitutional law. This is the meaning of this act, and our people have understood this well, which is why they participate in various elections; today, they participate with divine grace.

We pray that what is beneficial for this country and that government which has the ability to solve the problems and meet the needs of this country at this time, God willing, that government and that person come to power; we desire this, and God knows better than us. Our knowledge and scientific understanding are very limited; God knows this interest, and we ask the Almighty God for it. Of course, everyone makes their own effort to act according to their understanding.

You are certainly aware that today the so-called Western democracy considers elections as a symbol of democratic and free governments; however, we see that the Western propaganda against our country has a different shape and direction; as the Westerners say, it has a paradox. They promote that our people should not participate in elections and should not be present at the ballot boxes. How do you evaluate this contradiction?

The propaganda you referred to - that encourages people not to participate in elections - does not pertain to the whole world of Western democracy; it relates to a number of our enemies; enemies who do not want an Islamic system with its religious identity and at the same time democratic and based on the people's votes to exist. They wish that Islam cannot establish a true democratic system and sustain it. Since the establishment of such a system is contrary to their interests, they prefer that this great manifestation of democracy does not exist in the country. Who are our enemies that promote this idea? Of course, it is not necessary to name who our enemy is or who is not; anyone who has that perception about the Islamic system is our enemy. Therefore, what you referred to does not pertain to the world of democracy. The democratic seekers of the world are happy wherever democracy exists. Today, fortunately, among the Westerners - whether in America or Europe - there are many independent elements who testify and acknowledge that no democracy - at least in our region - is as established, expanded, and eloquent as the democracy of the Islamic Republic.