At a Tuesday meeting with representatives of student groups from across Iran via video link, the Leader highlighted the significance of democracy and the election of the country’s authorities by people, as the country is gearing up to hold its 13th presidential election next month.
“The people’s passionate turnout in the election will greatly impact the power and capabilities of the administration to be elected, and enhances the country’s reputation, security, and deterrence,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the right choice has to be made in the election, saying the future administration officials should be competent, have managerial capabilities, be pious, and have faith in the country’s domestic capabilities since “a hopeless administration official cannot get anything done.”
“An individual who believes nothing can be done in the fields of defense, politics, economy, and production within the country does not deserve to govern people,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that those who take power should have faith in the power of the people and the youth, display a revolutionary performance, truly seek justice, and act against corruption.
Such an administration, the Leader added, will be able to organize the country’s affairs by appointing hundreds of young, pious managers.
Iranians will go to the polls on June 18 to elect a new chief executive to replace President Hassan Rouhani. The incumbent will reach the end of his second term this year and cannot run in the 2021 election, having already served two consecutive terms.
The official electoral process began earlier on Tuesday, when the Interior Ministry opened the registration of hopefuls.