"Islamic Republic" indicates that presence of the people is a foundational part of it

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I offer my greetings and respect to the great, honorable, wise Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Good morning. May God bestow His blessings upon you and grant you continued health and well-being. We honor the memory of the Martyrs of Service, in particular our beloved [late] president, Martyr Raisi, as we hold the 14th presidential election due to his no longer being among us.

On June 3 [2024], you spoke of the epic nature of these elections. And on the day of Eid al-Ghadir, you emphasized the need for an increased, maximum participation in order to bring honor and strength to Iran. Now that we are in the initial minutes of the voting process in the 14th presidential election, and considering the unparalleled position and role that the president has in the strength and progress of the country, what is your final recommendation for those who are still hesitant about voting or have not yet made a definite decision?

Imam Khamenei:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

I pray to Almighty God for the best days and years and for the greatest blessings for our beloved nation. Election Day for us Iranians is a day of joy and happiness, especially when the election is for choosing the president who will shape the country's future for the next few years. However, I believe there is an important issue alongside this, and that is the enthusiastic participation of the people and an increase in voter turnout.

This is an essential need of the Islamic Republic. The word Republic in the name “Islamic Republic” indicates the presence of the people is a part of the foundation of this system. Therefore, the continuation of the Islamic Republic, the strength of the Islamic Republic, the dignity of the Islamic Republic, and the honor of the Islamic Republic in the world depend on the participation of the people.

This is the reason we recommend our beloved people take the issue of voting and participating in this important political test seriously. As for what you mentioned about some people being hesitant, I see no reason for hesitation. This is an easy task that will yield important results. Why should a person hesitate to do something that costs nothing, is not difficult, has no material cost, doesn’t take much time, has no pressures involved, but has numerous benefits?

People should not hesitate, especially considering the point I have mentioned that the strength of the Islamic Republic depends on the participation of the people. Furthermore, the participation of the people is necessary and obligatory in order to demonstrate the validity and honesty of the system of the Islamic Republic. I hope, God willing, that Almighty God will ordain the best, most beneficial choice for this country. May the upcoming years be advantageous, and may the people be satisfied with the choice they make.

May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.

May God be with you. May God be with you.