Ridvan Baha’i Elections
This year, 2023, the Riḍván elections will include all three levels of Bahá’í administration: local, national, and international. Local Spiritual Assembly elections around the world are held on the first day of Riḍván, starting after sunset on April 20 and ending before sunset on April 21. The election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, which takes place every year, will be held during the National Convention from May 18 to 21. The Universal House of Justice is elected every 5 years, always on the 9th day of Riḍván, which this year is on April 29.
“On the election day, the friends must whole-heartedly participate in the elections, in unity and amity, turning their hearts to God, detached from all things but Him, seeking His guidance and supplicating His aid and bounty.” (27 February 1923, Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’ís of the East—translated from the Persian)
“The aim should always be so to educate the friends during the year that they consider their participation in Bahá’í elections not only as a right they exercise, but as a spiritual obligation which, when discharged in the proper Bahá’í spirit, contributes to the health and growth of the Bahá’í community.” (18 June 1980, Universal House of Justice, memorandum to the International Teaching Centre)
Principles of Baha’i Elections
The principles of Bahá’í elections were enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. They cast a sharp contrast to the principles of political elections held around the world. All members in good standing of the Bahá’í community are eligible for election at various levels and in various districts around the world. Campaigning and divisive tactics are forbidden, and ballots are cast in secret. Membership on these institutions is not based on volunteering, electioneering or nominations. Rather members are called to serve via unbiased elections.
“Let us recall His explicit and often repeated assurances that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is in truth appointed of God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness.” (23 February 1924. Shoghi Effendi, “Bahá’í Administration,” p. 65)
Direct and Indirect Participation of the Individual
The privileges and responsibilities of the individual believers come into play by participating in Bahá’í elections, with the goal to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. By design, individual Bahá’ís are represented either directly or indirectly in all Bahá’í elections. They directly elect the members of their Local Spiritual Assembly. They indirectly elect the members of their National Spiritual Assembly by electing delegates from their district to represent them at the National Convention for their country or territory. And they also indirectly elect the Universal House of Justice, because their National Spiritual Assembly members represent them when they travel to the World Center to attend the International Convention. The International Convention is held in person at the World Center, with the option of accepting ballots mailed in from National Spiritual Assembly members who are unable to attend in person.
The Sacred Nature of Baha’i Elections
Bahá’í elections are held prayerfully in silence without discussions or nominations. After all ballots have been cast and collected, the tellers retreat to a private location to count the ballots, while the annual meetings take place.
“As you know very well, the method of Bahá’í elections is at complete variance with the methods and practices of elections in political systems. The beloved Guardian has pointed out to us that should we follow the method of the politicians in our Bahá’í elections, misunderstandings and differences will arise, chaos and confusion will ensue, mischief will abound and the confirmations of God will be cut off from that Bahá’í community. In view of these grave warnings, the utmost care must always be exercised so that the purity and spiritual character of Bahá’í elections are maintained and preserved.” (6 December 1971, letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
Unity of thought and action has enabled the Bahá’í institutions to engage at all levels in worldwide plans to bring about the healthy development of the Faith. Over the last one-hundred years, starting with the “Tablets of the Divine Plan” given to us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the development of the administrative order under the guidance of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice, the Faith has emerged from obscurity and advanced with increasing effectiveness on the world stage.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Sanctity and Nature of Bahá’í Elections
https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/sanctity-nature-bahai-elections/
Bahá’í Administration
https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/bahai-administration/
The three-stage electoral process for the Universal House of Justice