Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged people to show a high turnout at the upcoming elections for parliament and the Assembly of Experts to be held in February.
"Elections are not owned by the leader, they belong to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Fars news agency quoted him as saying during his address to a group of people from Qom city in Tehran.
Khamenei also said the elections strengthen the system and increases the credibility and honor of the nation.
"To protect the country and its credibility, everyone should cast vote in the elections even those individuals who do not believe in the system," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
"Everyone should try to make a right choice. The current parliament takes proper stances regarding the international issues," he said.
He said that if people do not know all the candidates personally, they should vote in favor of those introduced by religious and revolutionary individuals who follow the path of late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini.
He urged people to refrain from casting votes in those candidates who may act in the favor of the USA.
The Assembly of Experts is of high importance as it is expected to choose the next leader, he added.