Elections, Chance to Raise People’s Hope: Iran’s First VP

In an address to a ceremony held here in Tehran on Tuesday, Jahangiri referred to elections as an opportunity for fixing the country’s problems in political and management fields.

He also noted that votes provide an opportunity for raising people’s hope and trust in the Islamic Establishment.

“We should welcome people’s presence at the ballot boxes, and as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, everyone should take part in these elections. Even those who have problems with the Establishment should participate in the polls for Iran and for the national interests,” he added.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei last month called on Iranians from all walks of life with every political orientation to take part in the elections slated for February 26, describing people’s involvement in the voting process as a major factor in survival of the Islamic Revolution.

It is necessary for all eligible voters to cast their ballots in the elections for choosing members of the Assembly of Experts and the Parliament, Ayatollah Khamenei said at the time.

“We insist, like in the past, that everybody should go to the ballot box, even those who disapprove of the Establishment and the leadership, because the election belongs to the nation, to Iran and to the Islamic Republic Establishment,” Imam Khamenei stressed.

The Leader explained that elections contribute to the survival of the Revolution, because people’s vote will stymie the enemy’s plots.

Maximum turnout in the elections will strengthen the Islamic Establishment, guarantee constant provision of security, add to the Iranian nation’s credibility in the world, and boost the grandeur of the Islamic Republic in the eyes of enemies, Ayatollah Khamenei underscored.

The Assembly of Experts and parliamentary elections will be held simultaneously on Friday.

There are currently 290 seats in the Iranian parliament, known as Majlis, elected by direct vote of people in nationwide election for four years.

The Assembly of Experts is also a high-ranking body that elects and oversees the activities of the leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Members of the assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.