Abdol-Fazl Ghadiani, Political Activist, Emphasizes 'Boycott' of Government Elections and 'Change of the Religious Dictatorship System'

Abdol-Fazl Ghadiani, a political activist opposing the Islamic Republic inside the country, announced on Thursday, July 14, on the eve of the second round of government elections to determine the successor of Ebrahim Raisi, that he still advocates for the 'boycott' of elections and the 'change of the religious dictatorship system ruling over Iran.' In an article published on the 'Zeytoon' website, Mr. Ghadiani referred to the first round of government elections held on Friday, July 8, stating: 'The results of the 1403 presidential election, like the last three elections, testify to the lack of acceptance and legitimacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its leader, Ali Khamenei.' According to this prominent opponent of the Islamic Republic, 'the people's determination not to participate in the election circus even tied the hands of the election engineers and the regime's propaganda apparatus in displaying legitimacy.' The first round of elections to determine the successor of Ebrahim Raisi took place last Friday, during which, according to official claimed statistics, about 77% of eligible voters in Tehran and 60% of eligible voters nationwide did not participate, thus marking the lowest voter turnout in the history of presidential elections in the Islamic Republic. The statistics and figures from the Islamic Republic's government sources have always been seriously questioned and disputed by independent observers and sources, and many observers and civil and political activists believe that the number of voters in the first round of elections was less than what the Islamic Republic claimed. Last month, Mr. Ghadiani also wrote in an article analyzing the current political situation in Iran: 'Boycotting the elections is an effective action in protest against the ruling system.' This serious critic of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized: 'Ali Khamenei's record is dark in every respect, but with the massacre of fall 1401 and the holding of parliamentary elections in Esfand 1402 in a more disgraceful manner than the 1400 presidential elections and the 1398 parliamentary elections, he has dirtied his record further.' He considered the 'unexpected' death of Ebrahim Raisi as 'an opportunity for some individuals' who are trying to exploit the gap in the ballot box to gain power. At the same time, many opponents say there is 'no difference' between the candidates considered by the Islamic Republic from both reformist and principlist branches, and some view participation in government elections as 'a vote for more killings and repression.'