Iran is marking the 39th anniversary of the historic referendum that led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The referendum in 1979 came less than two months after the victory of the Islamic revolution.
Imam Khomeini had frequently repeated the following in his historic messages and speeches: "You are free to vote for anything you want. I myself will vote for an Islamic Republic."
After the voting results were in, the country broke into a state of jubilation, and Imam Khomeini, declared the Republic’s inception.
Iran is on Sunday is marking the Islamic Republic Day, the day when, 39 years ago, an Islamic republic was officially declared in the country based on the results of a referendum in which Iranians overwhelmingly voted for the establishment of that political system.
Farvardin 12, 1358, according to the Persian calendar, (April 1, 1979) is seen as the most important day to follow the victory of the country’s Islamic Revolution three months earlier, when, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, the nation overthrew the US-backed monarchical Pahlavi regime.
Over 98 percent of Iranians voted “yes” to an Islamic republic in the referendum in 1979.
From very beginning of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini had pursue the officials to manage to hold a historic referendum in order to establish an Islamic-democratic system in the country
Imam Khomeini had tried hard to make people aware of the importance of a referendum, which appointed the type of government people wanted and announced their opinion with regards to an Islamic republic.
Finally on Friday the 30th of March 1979 the people voted. The leader of the revolution voted during the early hours of the day. The polls showed that 98% of the people voted for an Islamic republic.
On the 1st of April the Imam congratulated the people for their choice and officially announced the establishment of an Islamic republic.
Highlighting the participation of people in referendum or elections, Imam had once said in a historic message as following:
"When a virtuous government is in place, it follows that the people will be allowed to vote freely, and when that happens, they will select righteous people for the parliament. For not all the people are bad, the majority of them are good, virtuous individuals who want the good of the country. They want it to thrive, to enjoy a sound economy, and they pray for good, honest men to govern. It is only natural that when elections are free and safe from the interference of these unrighteous individuals, righteous people will enter parliament. And when this happens, a virtuous government will be formed, a virtuous president will take control, one who will not act against the interests of the country."
( Sahifeh-ye-Imam, Vol. 5, Page 314)