High turnout for election will immunize the country:Supreme Leader

TEHRAN,May 15(MNA) – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on the Iranian people to turn out in large numbers for the upcoming presidential election, saying a high turnout will immunize the country against the enemy’s acts of malevolence. The Leader made the remarks in Tehran on Wednesday during a meeting with thousands of people from all walks of life in reference to the 11th presidential election, which is scheduled to be held on June 14. “In order to achieve their goals and frustrate the enemy, the people, through their enthusiastic participation, should choose a competent, decent, faithful, revolutionary, and resilient person who has a jihadi will from among the candidates that will be introduced by the Guardian Council based on legal criteria,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. He also stated that a president must make efforts to realize the causes of the Islamic Revolution. “The Iranian people are looking for a competent person who can move the country forward faster in spiritual and practical areas and promote the glory and independence of Iran… while resolving the current problems and improving welfare,” the Leader added. “But, the enemy, while making efforts to dampen enthusiasm for the election, is looking for a person who lacks these qualifications and would lead Iran into dependence, weakness, and underdevelopment in various areas and would make (the country) follow outsiders’ policies,” he stated. Ayatollah Khamenei also said, “Portraying the country’s situation as critical, blowing the problems out of proportion, instilling frustration and despair about the resolution of the problems, and giving the impression that the country’s future is grim are some of the methods that the large network of propaganda and disinformation has put on its agenda with the aim of tempering enthusiasm for Iran’s election.” The Leader acknowledged that the country was facing problems such as unemployment and a high cost of living, but said, “Is there any country which does not have any problem?” “The people should be aware that vibrant participation in the election will immunize the country and will reduce outsiders’ avarice for encroachment and malevolence,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, noting that the Iranian people “will give the enemy a hard punch on the mouth” through a high turnout for the election. “Certain people, in order to garner more votes, have adopted mottos which are beyond the authority of a president and the country’s capacity. But the people are vigilantly looking for those whose mottos are based on the realities on the ground and pursue avenues compatible with the country’s mechanism to address the problems and the priorities,” he added. The Leader was most probably referring to Iran’s diplomatic relations with the United States, which was broken off in 1980 after Iranian students took U.S. diplomats hostage in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. Some candidates have commented on the issue, saying that Tehran-Washington ties can be restored. In his speech, the Leader also emphasized the necessity of full compliance with the law in the electoral process.