He referred to the recent remarks of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on the need for the active participation of the people in the presidential election and said that different factors can be effective in an election, the most significant being the competitive situation.
Bahonar stated that the number of presidential candidates may be limited, but each of them should be able to influence public opinion and encourage people to participate in the election.
The future president should be faithful to government policies, and his programs should be formulated within the framework of these policies, he added.
Mostafa Derayati, a member of the Central Council of the Islamic Iran Participation Party (IIPP), told the Mehr News Agency on Tuesday that the creation of an atmosphere of free competition in the poll would motivate political parties and individuals to participate in the presidential election.
He referred to the remarks of Ayatollah Khamenei on the need for a massive turnout in the election, saying that the realization of such a strategy requires that some arrangements be made.
Derayati observed that there is a kind of frustration in Iranian society nowadays, saying that efforts should be made to discover its root causes.
If the people believe that their president will play an essential role in national development, protect their rights, and work for the future, they will adopt a more serious attitude toward the election, he added.
He went on to say that everyone has their own views and people should be assured that at least one of the presidential candidates will adopt positions they agree with, but if the people believe that none of the candidates represent their views, they will not vote.
Moreover, if the political parties believe that there is a free electoral atmosphere, they will spare no effort to field their own candidates and encourage the people to vote for their preferred candidate, Derayati stated.
In light of the current situation in the country, we should regard the size of the turnout in the presidential election as more important than who wins, he added.
The relevant officials should try to dispel the current ambiguity, which has dissuaded some of the people from participating in the election, Derayati said in conclusion.
Meanwhile, Parviz Amini, the spokesman of the Islamic Union of Independent Students, said on Wednesday that clarifying the election atmosphere would be the best way to boost voter turnout.
Amini told the Mehr News Agency that voter turnout is directly dependent on government competency, adding that when a government is competent people are motivated to participate in elections and believe that their ideas and their votes have an influence in improving the government.
A competent government is a government, which can meet the financial and intellectual demands of society, and when such an ideal is realized, people’s participation in political affairs increases as well, he added.
MP Alireza Zakani told the Mehr News Agency on Wednesday that popular support for the government was one of the prime factors behind the victory and continuation of the Islamic Revolution.
Zakani, who is a member of the Majlis Presiding Board, pointed to the important role political groups and parties play in motivating people to participate in elections, saying that through utilizing their position in society, political groups and parties can effectively participate in the election and at the same time, through fielding competent candidates, create a dynamic presidential election.
In conclusion, Zakani said that since the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently in a critical situation and is on the threshold of a significant international development and evolution, a massive voter turnout in the presidential election would deliver a global message.
SA/HG
End
MNA