Statement from a Group of Educators in Iran: We Will Not Participate in Elections to 'Defend the Republic'

On Saturday, July 2, 520 educators in Iran issued a statement declaring that they would not participate in the upcoming presidential elections 'to defend the republic and based on citizens' rights.' This statement, published on the Telegram channel of Kalemeh, indicates that despite the inability to establish an 'opposition campaign against participation in the elections,' the educators have decided to share their 'reasons for non-participation in the elections' with the public. The statement references comments made by Masoud Pezeshkian, the only candidate from whom 'change is expected.' He stated that he has 'no program' and will implement 'the same program as the previous government' and 'the general policies of the regime and the directives' of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. The signatories of the statement emphasized that participating in the elections 'means accepting and endorsing the current imposed situation and insulting the social consciousness of the people.' They believe that the results and performance of governments in the Islamic Republic 'are the same for the people.' Voting to determine the fourteenth president of the Islamic Republic will take place on July 8 of this year. Six candidates approved by the Guardian Council are competing in this early election, which was imposed on the regime following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Reports from inside Iran indicate that the public shows little interest in these elections and considers them 'government appointments.' A recent poll from a government website on June 21 showed that 73% of the people do not follow the candidates' programs or their televised debates. The livelihoods of the people and the government's indifference and propaganda in the elections; government candidates do not mention the era of Ebrahim Raisi.