Leader thanks nation over elections turnout

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has thanked the Iranian nation for its massive participation in the country’s recent twin elections.

On Sunday, the Leader expressed gratitude for the “aware and determined” nation, whose turnout at the polls displayed “the brilliant face of religious democracy to the world.”

“I consider it my responsibility to express my gratitude to this public acknowledgement of the call made by the [country’s] Islamic establishment,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

Among other things, the Leader also urged the electees to adopt “austerity, honesty, constant attendance to the position of responsibility, preference for national interests over personal and factional demands, and chivalrous resistance against foreign meddling.” 

“The very sensitive times of the present call for the vigilance, awareness, and conviction of everyone, especially you the authorities.” Ayatollah Khamenei said. 

“The country’s advancement is the essential goal,” the Leader said, asserting, however, that “superficial advancement, which forgos independence and national esteem is not acceptable.”

On Friday, Iran simultaneously held parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. At least 33 million out of the 55 million eligible voters, or 60 percent, took part in the polls.

As many as 4,844 candidates, including about 500 women, were competing for a place in the 290-seat parliament. A total of 159 candidates ran for the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which is constitutionally tasked with selecting a leader when the need arises.

'Enemy dismayed'

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also commended the Iranian nation for its participation in the country’s recent twin elections.

The IRGC’s Public Relations Office released a statement on Sunday, describing the participation as “large-scale, passionate, and devastating for [the country’s] enemies.”

“This stalwart nation… should be praised for its diligence and will in letting down the frontline comprising the sworn enemies of Islam and the Islamic Revolution, who are being led by the United States.”

Results so far show that, while candidates from the Principlist camp have gained a majority when the entire country is taken into account, rival reformists have scored better results in Tehran, which is allotted the highest number of seats in both the Parliament and the Assembly of Experts, taking almost all seats for the capital. Over all, reformists have also been able to send more candidates into the parliament and the Assembly of Experts compared to previous elections for the two institutions.

“There is no doubt that those chosen by the nation will subjugate the global hegemony and arrogance to their perceptiveness and alertness,” the IRGC statement read.

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