The Bahá’í community is administered by elected bodies. These bodies operate at local, national and at worldwide level. These bodies are necessary because the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy and no professional learned class – indeed, no individual leader at any level. Every adult Bahá’í may vote, and indeed should do so. There are no nominations and no canvassing and it is a secret ballot. Every voter should regard it as a spiritual act and vote for those people who best combine spiritual qualities (such as humility, justice, compassion, for example) with ability and experience. Voting should always be accompanied by prayer.
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It happens on the same day all over the world.
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Bahá’ís elect delegates on a regional basis to attend the National Convention, which is normally held during the Ridván festival.
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A person’s qualities should be privately (and humbly) assessed by the voter “without the least trace of prejudice” and, as previously stated, aided by prayer.
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The election takes place at the International Convention held at the Bahá’í World Centre in the Holy Land.
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At this convention the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies have the opportunity to meet one another and discuss matters on a world scale.
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This preserves the unity of the community. Also, if it turns out to be the wrong decision, this will become obvious much more quickly and failure cannot simply be blamed on sabotage.
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This is a form of direct community participation, and enables everyone to offer their contribution.
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The idea, once offered, is considered as belonging to the group and is not identified with the person who originally suggested it. It can therefore be discussed objectively by everyone.
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Everyone has the duty to offer their thoughts and all ideas have value. `Abdu’l-Bahá said: “The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”
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Bahá’u’lláh said of legislators: “They must regard themselves as the custodians of all that dwell on earth.”
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