Leader on importance of parliamentary, Expert Assembly elections

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in his speech to thousands of people from the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan who recently visited him in Tehran, thanked the Iranian nation for the grand rallies throughout the country on February 11.

He said the vast turnout by the people on the 37th anniversary of the triumph of the Islamic Revolution was manifestation of the firm resolve, steadfastness and vigilance of the Iranian people.

The revolutionary people of Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan Province, every year converge on Tehran on the 29th of Bahman or February 18, to renew their allegiance to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution. At this year’s meeting, attended by the families of martyrs, officials, the Ulema and people from different walks of life, Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the revolutionary move of the people of Tabriz and other parts of East Azarbaijan on February 18, 1978 against the repressive regime of the British-installed and US-backed Pahlavi regime, almost a year before the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, in awakening the people of Iran. He said these revolutionary people have been steadfast over the past 38 years, offering martyrs and defending the progress and independence of the country. He referred to the nationwide elections to be held on February 26 for the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts, and called it a great opportunity for the people to participate with renewed enthusiasm in order to demonstrate their support for the Islamic Republic system of government. The atmosphere could be likened to that of a great Eid for the Iranian nation, he added. The Leader said the era of humiliation by foreigners in the scientific, political and social fields, is long past. He recalled that in the past, the domineering powers, especially the US used to dictate to the Pahlavi regime get what they wanted, and before the Americans, it were the crafty British who controlled Iran. But the victory of the Islamic Revolutionary brought end to all such intolerable humiliation, by restoring to the Iranian people their dignity and independence. He added that when a people feel that they have an identity, talents will blossom in them and this happened, as is evident by the country’s progress. The Leader said the US and the illegal Zionist entity hate to see the astounding progress of Iran and the people’s outspoken expression of their views on Global Arrogance – a factor that has inspired other nations.

On the importance of elections and the enemy’s vain bid again to distort public opinion, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the people should be aware of these stratagems and once again shatter the plots of the enemies, who despaired of disrupting the trend of polls, are trying in vain influence its results. It is worth noting that over the past 37 years, almost the same number of elections – whether of parliamentary, presidency, town councils or Experts Assembly – have been held in Iran, which mean an average of one election every year. Even during the 8 years of the Holy Defence, when the US had imposed an unwanted war through its agent Saddam of the repressive Ba’th minority regime of Baghdad, elections were held, and Iranians enthusiastically participated in the polls with full security. The parliament is the legislative body of the country and is elected every four years, while the Assembly of Experts which supervises the performance of the leadership and elects the next leader, is elected every 8 years. There is no restriction in register of candidates for either of the two bodies, but as per the constitution, there are certain conditions the aspiring candidates should meet, and this process is vetted by the Guardian Council which consists of 6 Islamic jurisprudents and 6 top jurists. The Guardian Council is also responsible for supervising the process of elections and ascertaining the accuracy of the results. The enemies of Iran are afraid of the crucial role of the Guardian Council, and as Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out, one of their objectives is to undermine it. He censured those of the Iranians who unwittingly fall prey to the western media’s propaganda and commit the mistake of criticizing the functions of the Guardian Council, which is the pivot of the system for ensuring smooth functioning of the popular religious governance of the country.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the Majlis or the National Parliament which is also called t he Islamic Consultative Assembly, as very important. He said it plays the role of a railway ensuring safe and secure tracks for the administration to move upon. Thus, he added, it is vital for the Majlis to pursue people’s welfare, social justice, economic improvement, scientific success, technological progress, national dignity and the independence of the people. The Majlis ought to be a bulwark against the insinuations of the West, especially the US, which want to bring ruing to the country by advocating the election of the undeserving and uncommitted. As for the Assembly of Experts, the Leader said it is even more important than the Majlis in terms of its fundamental and structural significance. Its responsibility is to supervise the function of the leadership and elect the Leader. It thus requires qualified members committed to the ideals and goals of the Islamic Revolution, devoted to serving the people, aware of the enemy’s plot, and determined to stand steadfast against the machinations of the enemies. If God forbid, such qualities are not present among members of the Assembly of Experts, the result will be disastrous.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the plots of the western media, especially the English language media horns, for their vain efforts to influence the trend of elections in Iran. He called their insinuation as interference in the affairs of the country, and called on the Iranian people to enthusiastically take part in elections with insight, wisdom and intelligence, in order to thwart the goals of the enemies. The Leader also called on the Iranian nation to be vigilant against the dangerous Zionist network which controls the wealth, economy, and media of the West, including the US, and makes the ruling regimes act per its whims. He reminded the nation of the US breach of the promises it had undertaken during the nuclear negotiation and said the Americans are unreliable. On the slogan of “Death to America” that is vociferously chanted during rallies in Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “This cry of the Iranian nation is because of the overt enmity of the US towards Iran, both in the past and in the present time. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated: “Of course, in private meetings, the Americans smile, shake hands and express pleasant words, but such behaviour is limited to diplomatic conversations and do not affect the reality.”

In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei said: by Allah’s favor and grace, you will see the day when the US, and even those more sinister than the US and its accomplices, will not be able to do a damn thing against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

FK/AS/ME