Khamenei Acknowledges Minimal Participation in Government 'Elections': Vote if You Love the Islamic Republic

Ali Khamenei, after four days of silence, finally admitted that public participation in the first round of voting among the candidates considered by the Islamic Republic for the succession of Raisi was 'less than expected.' While the majority of Iranian citizens are boycotting the government 'elections' and likening it to a 'circus' and 'show,' Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, claimed on Wednesday, July 4, that 'it is a completely wrong assumption to think that those who did not vote in the first round are opponents of the regime.' This comes despite his prior statements emphasizing the importance of participation in elections, stating that 'high participation' would lead to the 'pride of the Islamic Republic.' Breaking his silence after the first round of the government 'elections,' Khamenei called on those who 'love Islam and the Islamic Republic' and 'the progress of the country' to demonstrate this by voting for the candidates favored by the Islamic Republic for the succession of Ebrahim Raisi. Khamenei's statements come at a time when even according to government statistics, a decisive majority of Iranians did not participate in this political event, which opponents refer to as a 'circus' and 'show.' Opponents argue that there is 'no difference' between the two candidates considered by the Islamic Republic for the succession of Raisi and that participating in the government elections amounts to 'voting for more killings and repression.' The second round of voting among the two candidates favored by the Islamic Republic for the succession of Ebrahim Raisi will be held on Friday, July 15.