Why Iran’s election boycott will be unprecedented this time around
May 21, 2021, 2:18 pm

Why Iran’s election boycott will be unprecedented this time around

by Adena Nima

Many Iranians have called for a boycott of upcoming June 18 presidential elections. Although Iran’s elections have always been rigged and voter turnout exaggerated by the regime, officials are worried that this time

around, they cannot cover up Iran’s election boycott due to its extensive nature. Iran’s election

This becomes even more clear when you read Iran’s state-run media.

Speaking to the state-run ILNA News Agency, Mahmoud Mirlohi, a member of Tehran’s City Council, said the reason elections were different this time around was because Iranians “explicitly say they will not vote”.

“The difference from before is that the ‘I will not vote’ (campaign) has become very public and widespread. The people who will not vote are varied in background. From various election factions to the subverters and the dissatisfied, they all say they won’t vote due to economic issues and this has made things difficult,” Mirlohi added on May 19.

According to Jahan-e Sanat Daily, “Only 11.4% of Iranians follow up on election news”. The daily said on May 19 that it was harder to persuade people who are forward-thinking and rational to vote.

Mostaghel Daily cited polls conducted by relevant state-run organization indicating Iranians lacked the “passion” to vote.

Setareyeh Sobh Daily said “Most Iranians have yet to accept any of the

(candidates)”. Iran’s election

“Recent polls show that even in small towns and villages, the desire to participate in elections is not the same as before,” Shargh Daily wrote on May 19.

Mostaghel Daily said Iranians would not vote because they were not “optimistic” about elections.

According to Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, former Iranian vice president from the so-called “reformist” faction, the election race was not between reformists and hardliners. The cleric said the main competitor this time

around was a low voter turnout.

What’s behind Iran’s election boycott A lot has happened in Iran and the region since the last round of presidential elections in May 2017. However, the most important event were two major nationwide protests that rocked the country.

The first round of protests started on December 28, 2017 and continued into 2018. The protesters tore down images of the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and chanted slogans against him, signaling that they did not want the regime in its entirety.

During nationwide protests in November 2019, protesters took their anger a step further and torched any government building they could get their hands on while chanting more fervently against Khamenei. The 82-year-old cleric in turn ordered security forces to gun down protesters. At least 1,500 men, women and children were killed by the regime in just a few days amid an internet blackout.

Now the main force behind Iran’s election boycott are the mothers of slain protesters who say they will never forgive or forget the murder of their loved ones by the regime. Iran’s election

The regime still thinks it can force Iranians to pretend as if nothing has happened. But a lot has happened, and everything has changed.

Top regime officials have always boasted that their legitimacy comes from high voter turnout. They argue that if Iranians did not want the regime, they would not take part in elections.

I wonder what excuses they will come up with time when most Iranians boycott the elections.

It’s no wonder that on May 18 Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, a spokesman for the Guardian Council that vets candidates, told the Associated Press that “from the legal and lawful point of view, low turnout does not bring about any legal problems” with the election’s credibility.

The regime has run out of options. It’s most “liable” presidential candidates are Iran’s Chief Justice, responsible for the execution of thousands of political prisoners who participated and lost during the last round of elections and a former parliament speaker and advisor to Khamenei. Ali Larijani was appointed by the Supreme Leader to finalize a

controversial 25-year cooperation agreement between Iran and China, dubbed as “treacherous” by ordinary Iranians who believe the regime is selling Iran out to China. Iran’s election

The regime knows it can no longer fool the masses by appointing a smiling cleric who boasts a non-existing moderate platform, as president. Especially since Iranians chant, “Reformists, hardliners, the game is over!” during protests making sure the regime knows they cannot be misled.

After 42 years, Iranians have realized that no president under the banner of the Islamic Republic can make their lives better. Not when Khamenei, the unelected Supreme Leader who is the most despised figure among Iranians, makes all the decisions.

It’s also no wonder that “encouraging a low voter turnout” is considered a crime in the Islamic Republic.

Nevertheless, most Iranians have joined Iran’s election boycott campaign, and this will make the upcoming June 18 presidential elections, unprecedented. Iran’s election

Tags: Iran elections

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.