Human rights activists, writers, filmmakers, relatives of protesters slain in government crackdowns, and political prisoners appealed to Iranian voters to boycott the snap presidential election on June 28. The statements reflected the core issue in the election—turnout. The regime has long invoked the percentage of Iran’s 61 million eligible voters who went to the polls as proof of the Islamic republic’s legitimacy. In a troubling sign for the theocracy, the majority of voters boycotted the 2024 parliamentary election and the 2021 presidential election.
In a statement from Evin Prison, Nobel laureate and political prisoner Narges Mohammadi blasted the government for hypocrisy. “How can you, while holding a sword, gallows, weapons, and prisons against the people with one hand, place a ballot box in front of the same people with the other hand, and deceitfully and falsely call them to the polls?” In a call from Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad, Javad Lalmohammadi said anyone who voted was betraying their country. “Those who saw the unjustly shed blood of Iranian youth, their blinded eyes, and the suffering of political prisoners, yet still participate in the elections, deserve no other adjective than traitor,” he said.
Narges Mohammadi
Turnout is also important given the sporadic but growing waves of protests challenging the regime over multiple issues. The Green Movement in 2009 drew millions to the streets nationwide over allegations of a fraudulent presidential election; they lasted for six months. Spontaneous protests over the price of food and fuel spilled over from 2017 into 2018. Iranians took to the streets after the government acknowledged that the Revolutionary Guards shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane—after initially denying it—in January 2020; all 176 on board were killed. A water shortage—in a country plagued with environmental problems—triggered protests in 2021. And the “Women, Life, Freedom” protest over women’s rights and personal freedoms electrified Iran in 2022. Each of the protests grew from isolated issues into calls for the ouster of the leadership, including “Death to the Dictator.” The following are excerpts of statements in the run-up to the poll.
Narges Mohammadi, an imprisoned human rights activist and Nobel laureate.
- “I will not participate in the illegal elections of the oppressive and illegitimate government.”
- “How can you, while holding a sword, gallows, weapons, and prisons against the people with one hand, place a ballot box in front of the same people with the other hand, and deceitfully and falsely call them to the polls?”
Sepideh Rashno, a writer and human rights activist.
- “There is no future for Iran and its people under the Islamic Republic. The will and resilience of the people has always driven change.”
Atash Shakrami, human rights activist and aunt of Nika Shakrami, a 16-year-old killed during the 2022 nationwide protests.
- “Every government agent's hands are deeply stained with the blood of our nation's youth.”
Javad Lalmohammadi, a political prisoner.
- “Those who saw the unjustly shed blood of Iranian youth, their blinded eyes, and the suffering of political prisoners, yet still participate in the elections, deserve no other adjective than traitor.”
Mohammad Nourizad, a former political prisoner.
- The Islamic Republic “is a treacherous and decadent system.”
- The election “is completely managed and engineered.”
Mojgan Ilanlou, a documentary filmmaker and women’s rights activist.
- “I have no representative in this election to vote for…so maybe when they realize they need my vote and that I don’t easily sell my vote, something might change.”
- “This time around, the candidates don’t even talk about women at all…it is as though there is no such thing as women, women’s demands, or equality.”
Sedigheh Vasmaghi, a female Islamic scholar and activist.
- “When voter turnout is low, the ruling factions lose confidence, but high turnout empowers and validates them.”
- “Reformist friends! Be smart, lest you fall into the trap of tyranny, face the historical and inevitable trend of change.”
Mehdi Mahmoudian, a political activist.
- “The possibility of change through the ballot boxes has been stripped from the people.”
Fatemeh Sepehari, a political prisoner and pro-democracy activist.
- “The end point of the Islamic Republic will soon be reached.”
- “You are the most lying people in history, we do not trust you. You are the biggest thieves and embezzlers in society, we will not cooperate with you.”
Foad Choobin, an activist and uncle of a 17-year-old killed during nationwide protests in 2022.
- “We will not forget that in November 2022, agents of the Islamic Republic shot at us and killed Artin...we will not participate in this election circus…we will not vote for any of the 6 candidates who whitewash Khamenei’s crimes.”
26 mothers of slain protesters and dissidents from Kurdistan province.
- “We will not stop seeking justice until we get our right to try and punish the criminals who innocently executed and shot our children.”
Gohar Eshghi, mother of blogger Sattar Beheshti who was killed after being tortured in prison.
- “Boycott this government charade! Let the liars and their reformist/hardliner pawns play alone. The world will again hear our answer: NO to the Islamic Republic!”
Abolfazl Ghadiani, former political prisoner.
- “Participation in these controlled elections won't bring any real change.”
Giti Pourfazel, civil activist and lawyer.
- “Abandon false hope and engage with vigilant agents of change instead.”
Azamat Azhdari, sister of Ghanimat Azhadari who was killed when the Revolutionary Guards mistakingly shot down Ukrainian Flight PS752 in 2020.
- There is an "ocean of blood" between the voters and people like her.