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Summary of Election of Local Spiritual Assembly at Ridván
At its foundation, the Bahá'í administrative order rests on the local Spiritual Assembly, a community
governing council elected each year in every community where there are nine or more adult Bahá'ís. It is worth describing in some detail the
operation of the local Spiritual Assembly, as many of its features are reflected at the national and international levels.
Typically, the reach of the local Spiritual Assembly is defined by the municipal boundaries established by the
government. In other words, all Bahá'ís who live within the boundaries of a particular village, town, city, or governing district are
considered to be within the jurisdiction of the local Spiritual Assembly of that locality.
The local Spiritual Assembly is elected each year by secret ballot. In April, all adult Bahá'ís in the given
community gather for an election. Those who cannot personally attend are encouraged to submit absentee ballots. After a period of prayer
and meditation, each adult then writes down nine names: the names of those nine individuals that he or she feels are best qualified to
administer the affairs of the community.
The qualities such individuals should possess are spelled out quite clearly in the Bahá'í writings. Those participating in the election
should consider "the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion,
of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience."
Perhaps the most surprising aspect to this process is the absence of a prepared ballot or of any system of nominations. Instead, every adult
Bahá'í in the community is eligible for election to the local Spiritual Assembly.
Those elected to the Assembly need not receive a majority of votes; rather, the nine individuals who receive the highest number of votes are
selected. Since everyone in the community is, in essence, up for election, individual voters have the opportunity to vote according to
their conscience with an absolute freedom of choice. Accordingly, individuals with a recognized maturity, experience and humility tend
to be elected--instead of simply those who might be bold or egotistical enough to run for office.
Although this system defies political convention, it is surprisingly effective in practice. The whole emphasis of the Bahá'í electoral system
is to bring forth leaders who possess qualities of selflessness, intellectual capacity and wisdom.
> Learn more about Baha'i Elections
> Above animation courtesy of NyBahai.org |
