Baha’i Control On Their Electoral System – Part I

IT IS SELECTION NOT ELECTION

Bahai Elections: Brainless Exercise?

A. A study of Baha’i institutions

Many control mechanisms relate to the electoral system and the realities of power are existing in the Bahai community. Early Baha’is allowed nominations to be made for Baha’i office, and also allowed campaigning for Baha’i Institution. When early Baha’is asked `Abdu’l-Baha how they should conduct elections for local spiritual assemblies he replied that they should follow the rules for election common in their own country
(`Abdu’l-Baha 1908-1916: I,7).

Van den Hoonard points out that nominations and canvassing for Baha’i office were standard practice in North America in the time of `Abdu’l-Baha (van den Hoonard 1996:157-158).

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