Statements during the Interview while Casting Votes in the Ninth Parliamentary Elections

Abdulrahman Nizam-Islami: Good morning. We sincerely greet the wise leader of the revolution. Since this year's elections are different from ever before, I believe our conversation will also differ somewhat from previous years. Representatives from two generations of the national media have come to pay their respects to you. You have always been among the pioneers present at the early voting hours. In other words, with the official start at 8 AM, the Iranian people have always visited you at polling station 110. In these critical moments, as the people come to connect the epic of the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) to the epic of the 12th of Esfand (March 2), what advice do you have for them?

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I sincerely thank you, gentlemen journalists, just as I do for other groups who have worked hard for the elections. You have played a significant role in drawing attention to the importance of this phenomenon and the event that occurs every two years in our country. God willing, may you not be weary and may you be successful. My advice is the same as always. I believe this is a duty for us, just as it is a right belonging to us. We must utilize this right and fulfill this duty. I also believe that this act, like prayer, is more virtuous the closer it is to the beginning of the time. Not that I want to give a religious ruling, saying that it is religiously this way - just as it is in prayer - but from a rational perspective, when a person comes to perform this act at the beginning of the time on Friday, they feel at ease knowing they have fulfilled their duty, and then they can attend to their other matters; unlike leaving it until the end of the time, when the polling stations become crowded, the likelihood of not succeeding arises, and there is anxiety and concern about when to go. Therefore, they should come early, vote for all thirty candidates; write down the names of thirty candidates. Our dear people should try to perform this act with a sense of obligation between themselves and God Almighty, and God willing, purify their intentions.

Kamran Najafzadeh: I wanted to ask what you see as the importance of this election compared to previous ones?

Of course, you know that elections have always been significant for our country and the Islamic Republic; they are always decisive, always indicative of a reality within our country; this has messages for our friends in the world and also for our enemies. Therefore, it is always like this. Whenever this characteristic is more pronounced, the importance increases; today is one of those times. Firstly, thirty-three years have passed since the victory of the revolution. In revolutions that have occurred in the world, after such a time, people have become weary, disillusioned, and the paths have changed, the goals have shifted. Our nation has continued a direct movement with a resolute determination throughout this time; this is a very important event. After three decades, showing that it still possesses the same characteristic at the age of thirty-three is significant. Moreover, these days, there is a lot of noise against the Iranian nation; you hear it, you see it. These arrogant powers that have been defeated and have faced setbacks in many places want to maintain their stature with a commotion. What do they use this commotion for? The issue of Iran is a prominent issue; hence, they create a lot of noise about it; the issue of sanctions, the issue of human rights, and these repetitive claims. Therefore, because there is much uproar, and because there are many verbal and linguistic threats against the Iranian nation, the Iranian people have a more sensitive position in this period and can speak better; speaking through action. You know that the best way to speak, the best expressions, are those that are conveyed through action. The nation can act. Thus, the more they come to the polling stations today, the more beneficial it is for the country; the more they come with enthusiasm and motivation, the more beneficial it is for the future of the country, for the dignity of the country, and for maintaining the security and immunity of the country. The importance of this period is for this reason. God willing, may you all be successful. Long live.