Election Boycott by Several Student Organizations: People's Behavior Means 'No' to the Islamic Republic

A number of student organizations at universities in Iran issued a joint statement announcing a boycott of the elections on March 2, stating that "our vote is for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and the victory of the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution, and we call on the people to expedite the process of overthrowing." The statement, published on the Telegram channel of the 'National Student Guild Councils' on Tuesday, March 7, emphasized that the students are aligned as "fighters of the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution" against the Islamic Republic in this "farce of elections," asserting that the people's resistance and their protest behavior signify a "no" to the Islamic Republic. The signatories of the statement wrote that the Islamic Republic is facing a massive wave of "no" to the current situation, as it attempts to impose "its laws, its culture of grief and mourning, its hijab and coercion, its exploitation and repression, honor killings, executions, terrorism, flogging, rape, and torture" upon the people. The statement insists that through the "advancement and victory of the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution, we will destroy the Islamic Republic, and we do not consider the election boycott sufficient." The signing student organizations concluded by stating, "We students ... see an ocean of blood between ourselves and you criminals, and our response to you is one word: No." The signatories include 'Progressive Student Organization, Free Thinkers of Jondi Shapur, Freedom Seekers of North Tehran University, Freedom Seekers of Beheshti University, Nationwide Committee of Kurdistan Students, Students of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Khorasgan), Free Voice Society of Isfahan University of Art, Industrial University of Isfahan Union, Independent Students of Kharazmi University, and Union of Alzahra University Students.' Additionally, many students and activists from other universities have signed the statement. Recently, many figures, organizations, and various parties have also called for a boycott of the elections. Approximately 300 activists inside and outside Iran announced on Sunday, March 6, through a statement that they would not participate in the upcoming elections. The signatories noted that due to the "deadlock of reforms and the complete elimination of critics, especially since the 2021 election period and the policy of unification and even widespread disqualification of candidates who are not sufficiently loyal," public motivation to participate in this election has significantly decreased. Previously, Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, stated on March 5 that the Islamic Republic "deserves national boycott and global humiliation." The Freedom Movement of Iran, one of the political parties inside Iran, also recently called for a boycott of the upcoming elections. The Tudeh Party of Iran had previously issued a statement calling for a boycott of the elections, stating that the "widespread and successful boycott" of the 2021 presidential elections and the "decisive no of the people to the appointment of Ebrahim Raisi to the presidency is a clear symbol of the people's awareness and their disgust with the oppression and corruption of the government, as well as a symbol of the political-moral invalidity of the Velayat-e Faqih regime." The Organization of Iranian People's Fedayeen - Majority also announced that it would not participate in this meaningless and fruitless electoral display. The Executive Center of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan stated: "The elections on March 2 are another opportunity to say 'no' again to the Islamic Republic." Additionally, several imprisoned political activists in Iran have also called for a boycott of the elections. The elections for the twelfth term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the sixth term of the Assembly of Experts are scheduled to be held on Friday, March 2. Mostafa Daneshgar stated: what will be held on Friday is a performance at the farthest distance from free elections. Widespread calls for a boycott of the elections are a reaction to the Islamic Republic's efforts to increase participation statistics. Mehdi Arabshahi stated: elections in the Islamic Republic have never been free and are now completely uncompetitive. Reports indicate the possibility of the Raisi government exploiting foreign nationals to obtain votes in the upcoming elections. Poll results regarding the elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts show low public turnout. A statement from dozens of activists inside and outside Iran regarding the election boycott: we will not submit to this "staging." Yashar Tabrizi from Evin Prison stated: the path to Iran's dignity is through the transition from the Islamic Republic, not through "fake" ballots. Narges Mohammadi joined the election boycott campaign: the Islamic Republic deserves national boycott and global humiliation.