Interview While Voting in the First Council Elections

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

My recommendation to our dear nation is to participate in this election with enthusiasm and excitement, just as in previous elections, and to do so in the early hours—without allowing time to pass and the fear of missing out to arise. Fortunately, the importance of this election has been discussed, and the people are somewhat aware that it is a significant matter. The reception that the candidates have shown for this event indicates that, thankfully, the status of these councils is largely clear among the people.

However, what I find appropriate to mention is that the people must be very serious in the elections. They should regard participation in the elections as a duty and truly make their choices. It is very important for the people to know that whoever they choose will bear responsibilities in relation to this choice; just as if their choice is a good one, and God willing, through that selected individual, good work will be done for the people and the country, they will also receive rewards and merits. For this reason, they must truly be careful to select individuals who are compassionate, religious, and capable, suitable for this role; because capability varies depending on the task for which we consider a person. The capability of this council differs from that of other jobs or positions. The people know what the city and village councils are for. Therefore, they should choose someone whom they feel, think, recognize, and ascertain to be suitable for this role. Of course, they must also recognize his piety, God-consciousness, and compassion. The people should not send individuals who are not compassionate, interested, and religious to their decision-making centers; because they will create burdens for them. This is my recommendation to the people.

God willing, we will witness a good election today. I emphasize that since the scale of the elections is very broad, people should participate in these elections in an orderly manner throughout the country. Thanks be to God, our nation has had many election ceremonies since the beginning of the revolution, and all of these ceremonies have been conducted with order and security—without incidents such as conflicts and physical altercations that occur in many countries. In today’s election ceremony, God willing, the people will participate with order and decorum—without engaging in, for example, verbal disputes or, God forbid, physical confrontations—and will conduct the ceremony in a healthy and calm atmosphere until the end of the allotted time, as befits a revolutionary Muslim and Iranian.

God willing, may you be successful.