Leader: High Election Turnout Source of Pride to Iran


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the high turnout of voters in the upcoming presidential election will bring glory to Iran and disappoint the enemies.

On the occasion of Eid al-Ghadeer and in the lead-up to the fourteenth presidential election, thousands of people from five provinces of Iran met with Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran on Tuesday.

The event titled the "Wilayat and Brotherhood" was attended by people from the provinces of Gilan, Markazi, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, North Khorasan, as well as the families of martyrs and the khadims (caretakers) of the Holy Shrine of Ahmad ibn Musa (Shahcheragh) in Fars province.

The ceremony commenced with recitations and eulogies of Imam Ali (PBUH) at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah of Tehran.

In remarks at the meeting, the Leader congratulated the Iranian nation and all Muslims worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Ghadeer, while underscoring that the event of Ghadeer serves as the foundation for the continuation of Islamic governance and the continuity of the Islamic way of life.

As Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to some of the virtues of Imam Ali (PUBH), he emphasized, “We have learned the people-centered nature of the Islamic system and belief in the impact of each individual's presence on the fate of the country from our master.”

The Leader also discussed the upcoming presidential elections, noting that these elections will be held 40 days after the loss and funeral of President Raisi, a poignant event that drew millions in heartfelt tribute. Additionally, he expressed hope that God will grant glory to the Iranian nation in these elections.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the key to national pride in the elections lies in maximum public participation and the election of the most qualified candidate.

“The reason for the insistence and emphasis on maximum participation in the elections is that the most important impact of a high turnout is that it brings honor to the Islamic Republic,” the Leader stated.

Referring to the continuation of hostilities against the Islamic Republic from the moment of its formation until now, the Leader regarded the elections and high voter turnout as factors overcoming enmities. “People's participation is a part of the essence of the Islamic Republic. The most important demonstration of this is in the elections,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the belief held by certain politicians that progress can only be achieved by relying on foreign powers and the illusion that the US is the only path to development. “Those who are pinning their hopes on those outside the borders of the country do not see these capacities [within our borders]. When they do not see or understand the value of these capacities, they will naturally fail to make plans to use them,” he stated.