Rouhani's Warning About Society's Disappointment with Elections

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, warned on Sunday that "I feel that if we do not think correctly about some matters, we may disappoint society and some may ask why they should come to the polls? Who should we choose?" According to the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, Rouhani made this statement on Sunday, February 6, during a conference titled "Women, Moderation, and Development," referring to the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 7. He emphasized: "I feel that if we do not think about some matters and processes, the hope of society may turn into despair and a lack of participation in the elections." Rouhani had previously protested against the widespread disqualification of reformists in the upcoming elections, stating: "If one faction is allowed to participate in the elections and another is not, why are we holding elections at all?" The President's renewed warning about the potential "despair" of the people comes as the Guardian Council has slightly eased its strictness regarding candidate disqualifications following protests, announcing that the number of approved candidates has increased from 40% to 55% of registrants. Rouhani continued his remarks on Sunday, saying: "It is true that we should not have 100% trust in everyone and strangers, but every issue has a point of moderation. Unfortunately, some only know the way of extremism." The Iranian executive branch leader stated that "some have extremist thoughts and unfortunately sometimes think of religion in an extremist way," adding that "today, on the eve of the elections, we must be very cautious." Rouhani reiterated his warning about the potential "despair" of the people, while a day earlier, another critic of the widespread disqualification of candidates, Hashemi Rafsanjani, said that "if a percentage" of the disqualified candidates are approved for the parliamentary elections, "the people will vote eagerly." "We must be present at the polls on March 7 under any circumstances," Rouhani said in another part of his speech on Sunday. "I am aware of all the problems and understand that what many have demanded is not present before their eyes today, but we must look at the lofty goal we have, and the strategy is to have foresight and not forget the main goal and the result of our work." The Iranian President added: "Although sometimes the choice becomes very difficult, everyone must be present at the polls on March 7 under any circumstances." He continued: "Voting is a great duty and responsibility, and we know that if we are present, we will gain at least a small benefit, but with absence, we will definitely suffer losses, and it is clear that in such conditions, we will choose the lesser benefit." Rouhani also stated: "Just as you inevitably buy clothes from a store, even if they are not appealing to you, participating in elections is also a necessary task, and we must go to the polls on March 7 under any circumstances." Previously, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had even asked "those who do not accept the regime" to participate in the upcoming elections "to preserve the country's credibility."