May 31, 2016

Avoidance of Partisan Politics

Active support. . . of an individual who has announced his candidacy for political office is not permissible to Bahá'ís. Even if the person is not attached to a political party, the very fact of promoting his candidacy over that of other competitors is an act of partisanship, which is inimical to the principles of the Faith. As you well know, campaigning and nominations are forbidden in Bahá'í elections. The friends should endeavor to keep in mind the non-partisan character of the Faith and to employ the attitude of non-partisanship, to the greatest extent possible, in the exercise of their civic responsibilities as voters. Bahá'í are, of course, free to vote except, in primaries, but should not express support for any candidate. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated May 25, 1992; ‘Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, 1998 version’, prepared by US NSA)