Elections and People’s Role from the Viewpoints of Imam Khomeini (RA) | |||||||||||
Elections and People’s Role from the Viewpoints of Imam Khomeini (RA) Through his messages and speeches against the monarch system, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Late Imam Khomeini (RA), have always used to emphasize a kind of government which is based on two principles: Islamic rules and people’s votes.
Tahereh Rashidi
The Islamic System of Iran, which achieved victory subsequent to fall of dictatorial and despotic regime of Pahlavi in 1978, started its way towards its main purpose and goal based on a pivotal motto: “Independence, Freedom, Islamic Republic.” Through his messages and speeches against the monarch system, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Late Imam Khomeini (RA), have always used to emphasize a kind of government which is based on two principles: Islamic rules and people’s votes. The Islamic Republic term first time was used by Imam Khomeini in Paris, when he described his favorite and ideal system. Here, republicanism refers to its common meaning, i.e. a government which is popular and based on people’s votes. In response to a journalist’s question on the quiddity of government in the Islamic Republic Model, Imam says, “The Islamic regime and Islamic Republic is a sort of regime which is relied on public vote and public referendum.” Thus, the system’s republicanism refers to acknowledging people’s right to choose and elect their ideal political system and their rulers. It forms the shape and framework of the government considered by the Late Imam. It is a system in which people are recognized as one of the main legitimacy pillars of the political system of Islamic Republic, as people’s opinions and votes are important not only during the initial days of the system’s establishment, but the Islamic Republic always needs the permanent presence of people and their supervision over the authorities activities. The Late Imam Khomeini (RA), the great architect of the Islamic Revolution, considered people as the main owners of the system and used to refer to their participation as guarantee for survival of the Revolution. Imam also emphasized the correlation among people as the main element to thwart conspiracies of enemies both inside and outside the country. Emphasizing the maximum participation of people in the elections, Imam Khomeini believed that people’s participation after the revolution should not be less than that before the revolution, because the enemies’ propaganda machine outside the country and the political losers inside the country will stick it as an excuse to make our people disappointed about the revolution and system and will take advantage of its negatively. They would accuse Islam of being unable to manage the society and to meet people’s demands. Speaking about the necessity of eye-catching participation of people in the elections, Imam says, “If your participation would be less than that before the revolution, god forbid, the propaganda machine of foreign enemies and domestic rulers will tell the world that Iran has become disappointed of Islam and the Islamic Republic.” Elections is the manifestation of people’s political presence and participation and the arena in which people’s will to determine their destination would be realized, hence, election is very important and people will play a key role in conducting their mission. Concerning about the importance of people’s participation and presence in the elections, Imam Khomeini Says, “It is a divine duty, it is a national duty and it is a humane duty to which we need to loyal and all of us need to participate in the elections.” Because of this importance and role of people in the elections arena that all authorities and officials and media and caretakers need to take necessary and wise considerations to pave the way for necessary measures and forming a proper space in which the maximal participation of people in the elections would be paved. It would increase hope of advocates and friends of the revolution and Islam and will disappoint the Islam’s foes and enemies.
People’s Responsibility in Elections from Viewpoint of Imam Khomeini A) Active Participation in the Elections Imam Khomeini says: “If Islam or the Muslim state is damaged due to lack of taking part in the destiny of the society, god forbid, all of us, as the nation, would be responsible to the Almighty God and next generation would never forgive us because of our negligence and reluctance to participate in our current fate. One of our religious and logic important duties to safeguard Islam and country’s advantages is participation in the polling stations and voting qualified and pious candidates who are informed about the world’s political conditions and other things the country needs them and the Majlis needs experts of different fields and majors who are necessary and vital for the country.” The Late Imam Khomeini (RA), the great architect of the Islamic Revolution, considered people as the main owners of the system and used to refer to their participation as guarantee for survival of the Revolution. Imam also emphasized the correlation among people as the main element to thwart conspiracies of enemies both inside and outside the country.
B. Consultation Imam Khomeini (RA) Says, “For electing your president or MPs you need consult with the committed and educated intellectuals who are informed about the world’s occurrences. They also must be independent from the despotic states and be committed to piety and Islam and Islamic Republic system of Iran. You also can refer to pious and committed clerics who believe in the Islamic Revolution of Iran.”
C. The Qualified Election Imam Khomeini also says, “We need to elect people who are qualified in any case, only being Muslim is not enough, they need to believe in the Islamic Republic and informed about the current affairs and issues. Try to elect people like Martyr Moddares. Your elected ones should be able to detect problems; they must be brave and resistive. “So the qualified election means electing people who believe in Islam and are ready to defend its reputation. They need to understand everything, because only being Muslim is not enough for a MP, we need Muslims who understand the country’s problems.” | |||||||||||
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