In His Most Exalted Name
To the Great Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini- may his sublime presence endure for the Muslims,
Greetings to the distinguished Imam! In the past parliamentary elections your Eminence expressed opposition to the politico-religious parties and societies' introduction of candidates for the various constituencies. In view of the upcoming elections for the Third Islamic Consultative Assembly we would like to pose the following questions to our Eminent Leader so that the public would become aware of their religious duties:
1. Are the various religio-political groups and societies in Tehran or Qum allowed to introduce candidate for various cities in Iran or from every location for other localities in this term?
2. Can they spend the religious funds, public treasury or government and public properties at the disposal of various institutions for the election campaign of the candidates?
Mahdi Karroubi
Vice Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly
`Abdullah Nouri
Chairman of the Planning and Budget Commission
Hashimiyan
Chairman of the Oil Commission
Muhammad `Ali Hadi
Member of the Defense Commission
In His Most Exalted Name
Although such questions and answers are still premature, we have to set the people free in the elections. We should not do something that certain people are imposed on people. Thank God, our people have desirable religious and political progress. They will elect religious individuals who are sympathetic to the plight of the downtrodden, who are well aware of the religio-political issues and who side with the deprived ones. In such circumstances, no person, group, institution, organization, party, office or association could interfere in other constituencies of others, introduce a person or persons as candidates in other than its own constituency and campaign for him or them. In the present condition, under no circumstance will I allow anybody to spend for electioneering the share of the Imam (`a), the government properties, assets of the offices, organizations and associations, as well as the public funds. The people should be encouraged to participate in the elections. I will announce my view in this regard later, God willing. The honorable clerics of the electoral constituencies should try to deal with the candidates and their supporters in each constituency in a fatherly kind manner, may God grant you success.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini