On Electoral Process: Baha'i Elections

The negative campaigning so typical of the adversarial nature of elections in this country brings on feelings of repugnance for me each electoral season. I perform the duty of a good citizen by voting when the time comes, but I am always acutely aware of the profound difference in tone between national elections and Baha'i elections. What a joy it must have been for these tellers to have had the privilege of performing the service of vote-counting at the most recent election for the Universal House of Justice.

Nineteen tellers assembled at the Baha'i World Centre on Mount Carmel on 29 April 2003 to tally the votes in the election for the Universal House of Justice. The ballots were posted by members of the world's 178 National Spiritual Assemblies. The tellers came from Africa(Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa), the Americas (Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, UnitedStates), Europe (Austria, Greece, Hungary, Turkey, United Kingdom), Asia (two from India,Japan); Australia and Oceania (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands).

Baha'i World News Service, "Baha'i Community Elects International Governing Council"

Elections to the Bahá'í administrative institutions take place by a free and secret ballot. They are however radically different from most other elections that take place in the world today. They are not the arena for a struggle for power between opposing individuals, policies, ideologies or parties. A prohibition on nominations, electioneering, and the formation of parties helps to ensure this.

The process of election is considered to be a vehicle for choosing individuals who have the necessary moral, spiritual and administrative capabilities to consult together and cooperate to promote the common good. Those elected do not represent any particular interest or faction. They must see themselves as chosen for a service to the whole community, a service which they must perform prayerfully and conscientiously.

"The Baha'i Community, Baha'i Elections," extracted and condensed from A Short Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith