The Necessity of Public Participation in Elections

Elections represent the embodiment of democracy in any society that its legitimacy is directly linked to the level of public participation. The increase or decrease in public engagement in such a society signifies the fortification or weakening of the underpinnings of democracy. This issue holds substantial significance in the Islamic system of Iran, where the stability and puissance of the system hinge upon attention to this matter. Consequently, the adversaries of the system aim to diminish public participation in order to undermine the legitimate foundations of the Islamic system. This article, employing a descriptive-analytical approach and conducting a library-based study, delves into the necessity of public participation in elections. It meticulously examines the impediments that lead to diminished participation and suggests strategies to surmount these obstacles. The proposed strategies encompass elevating awareness and fostering insight, comprehending the effectiveness of people’s involvement in elections, the imperative for the government to address public demands, emphasizing social justice and its active implementation across various strata of governance and society, fostering a constructive competitive environment in elections, presenting comprehensive programs and objectives by candidates, steering clear of deviant personal and factional conflicts, refraining from presenting a negative portrayal of the country’s conditions, instilling a sense of responsibility among the people for their national and religious duties, and encouraging participation in elections through the elites of the society.