Reactions to Khamenei's 'Plea' for Elections: The Legitimacy of the Government is at its Lowest Level

A political analyst considered Ali Khamenei's remarks about the role of women in 'forcing' their husbands and children to participate in the elections as evidence of the cold atmosphere surrounding the upcoming parliamentary elections. Reza Alijani, a political analyst, stated in an interview with Voice of America that the Iranian government is aware of the 'disillusionment' of the people and emphasized that Khamenei knows he faces the toughest elections ahead, with the electoral legitimacy of the government at its lowest level. Recently, Ali Rabiei, a former Minister of Labor, noted that participation rates have decreased as the parliamentary elections in Esfand approach, based on surveys from governmental and security institutions. Khamenei, during a meeting with women on Wednesday, December 6, mentioned that the role of mothers is to encourage their husbands and children to engage in the elections. Some users referred to these remarks as a 'plea' to increase participation in the 'religious shop' elections and criticized Khamenei's previous statements questioning the public's ability to analyze issues, suggesting that a referendum was unnecessary. One user commented, 'A cleric who sees women as second-class citizens is now begging for women's participation in a 'show election.' Another user addressed the Supreme Leader, saying, 'You have killed and tortured so many women and girls; now what are you begging for?' Khamenei also spoke about 'meritocracy' as a criterion for assigning social and political responsibilities while listing women's primary concerns as 'housekeeping and childbearing' and 'protecting against the dangers of sexual attraction.' According to Reza Alijani, these statements indicate that Khamenei does not want to recognize women's independent agency and continues to view women instrumentally. In recent years, increasing childbirth and population growth has become one of Khamenei's emphases, and in November 2013, he spoke about the necessity of increasing Iran's population to 150 million. Khamenei also acknowledged the need for legislation regarding domestic violence, calling for the approval of laws containing 'harsh punishments' in this regard. However, according to Reza Alijani, the 'Women's Security Enhancement Bill' has been half-heartedly approved after 12 years and the change of three governments and parliaments, with its fate still uncertain in the hands of the Guardian Council. Recently, 170 political activists criticized the 'shadow of repression and suppression over the nation, especially the women's community,' calling for the separation of religion from government. The UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding committee had previously expressed 'deep concern' over the escalation of repression against girls and women and 'revenge' against protesters and the families of victims. Concerns among security figures in the Islamic Republic about declining participation in parliamentary elections continue.