Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians yesterday to participate en masse in June 17 presidential polls to "defeat" Iran's foreign foes, asserting the Islamic republic was a true democracy. "I advise all brothers and sisters to keep the election warm and healthy," he said to thousands gathered to pay homage to revolutionary leader and founder of Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini on the 16th anniversary of his death. "It is a person's divine right and duty to determine their fate," he said while hitting out at the foreign media for "downplaying the election". "I know the nation will defeat the enemy in this crucial ordeal," he said referring to the United States, adding the elections would define the position of Islamic republic in the world. He said Khomeini had bequeathed an elected Islamic government to Iran and the world. "In our country officials are elected by people's direct or indirect vote, nobody is appointed," he said. However, six of the members of the 12-person hard-line Guardians Council which vets legislation and candidates for public office are appointed by the supreme leader, who also names the heads of judiciary and state television.
| And nobody voted for Khamenei. He was annointed by God, which is accepted procedure in divine right monarchies... |