While there should be no mention of personalities in
connection with Bahá'í elections, it is quite appropriate for believers to
discuss the requirements and qualifications for membership in the institution
to be elected. Shoghi Effendi offers clear guidance on this point: "I feel
that reference to personalities before the election would give rise to
misunderstanding and differences. What the friends should do is to get
thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and
discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such a
membership without reference or application, however indirect, to particular
individuals." Among the "necessary qualities" specified by the
Guardian are those "of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a
well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience". With a
heightened awareness of the functions to be performed by the elected body, the
believer can properly assess those for whom a vote should be cast. From among
the pool of those whom the elector believes to be qualified to serve, selection
should be made with due consideration given to such other factors as age
distribution, diversity, and gender. The elector should make his choice after
careful thought over an extended period before the actual election.
- The
Universal House of Justice (Message to the Baha’is of the World, 25 March 2007)
