The friends may vote [in public elections], if they can do
it, without identifying themselves with one party or another. To enter the
arena of party politics is surely detrimental to the best interests of the
Faith and will harm the Cause. It remains for the individuals to so use their
right to vote as to keep aloof from party politics, and always bear in mind
that they are voting on the merits of the individual, rather than because he
belongs to one party or another. The matter must be made perfectly clear to the
individuals, who will be left free to exercise their discretion and judgment.
But if a certain person does enter into party politics and labors for the
ascendency of one party over another, and continues to do it against the
expressed appeals and warnings of the Assembly, then the Assembly has the right
to refuse him the right to vote in Baha’i elections.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a
letter dated 16 March 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News,
no. 80, January 1934)
