Sayyed Khamenei: elections embody people's will

• 

Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on the 32nd death anniversary of Imam Khomeini that "the most important innovation of the late Imam Khomeini is the creation of the Islamic Republic."

Sayyed Khamenei indicated that "Imam Khomeini's steadfastness and the victories of the Iranian people during the imposed war nullified all speculations about the failure of the Islamic Revolution," adding that "Iran did not fall and decline during the past decades, but rather became stronger and more advanced day by day."

The Leader of the Revolution clarified that "the secret of the steadfastness of the Islamic Revolution lies in the coherence of Republicanism and Islamism, as in the rule of the people and Islam," saying that the late Imam Khomeini used to believe in the strength, capabilities, steadfastness, and loyalty of the people.

He also said that the enemies thought that Iran would not celebrate its 40th anniversary, adding that "the Americans had clearly declared that Iran would not see the 40th anniversary of its foundation, which proves the failure of such speculations."

He continued, "The will of the Iranian people is embodied in the elections, and Imam Khomeini considered it a religious duty."

He said that, unfortunately, some people at home were and still are repeating the words of the enemies, and he affirmed that "the atmosphere for the elections is getting hotter day by day, but some want, under various pretexts, to discourage the people."

According to the Supreme Leader, "Frustration and mismanagement, if they exist, must be corrected by proper election and not by abstention."

He pointed out that he expects the candidates "not to make promises that they cannot fulfill because it will harm them if they win," adding that "the people must bear the responsibility not only by participating in the election but by calling on others to do so, too."

Sayyed Khamenei stated that the allegations against the people that were not granted eligibility to run for office are untrue.