Iran has recently marked the 37th anniversary of a historic referendum in which Iranians overwhelmingly voted for the establishment of the Islamic Republic system following the victory of the Islamic revolution.
Following the fall of the US-backed Pahlavi regime, in a landmark two-day referendum held on March 30-31, 1979, more than 98.2 percent of eligible Iranians voted “yes” to the establishment of an Islamic republic in the country.
It was held at a sensitive juncture of time when each corner of Iran was full of the mottos and slogans of “Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic.”
President Hassan Rouhani on this occasion in a recent address to cabinet meeting, praised the Islamic Republic Day as the day of the realization of Islamic and democratic values. "Democracy and Islam have materialized in the country in the real sense where the victory of the revolution has provided for the people to comfortably go to the polls and cast their ballots," Rouhani said.
This comes as nation annually celebrates Farvardin 12 on the Iranian calendar each corresponding to 1st of April as the Islamic Republic Day since then.
The president stressed that, Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic proposed a historic referendum on the establishment of an Islamic system in Iran less than two months after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
The Islamic Revolution in 1979 under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini culminated in the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and put an end to 2,500 years of monarchic rule in Iran.
Imam Khomeini in his messages and speeches urged for the vigilant participation of the Iranian nation in determination of its fate.
The founder of the Islamic Republic maintained and believed that the Iranian nation by flocking to the polling stations, should take their destiny into their own hands.
In this manner, following the victory of Islamic Revolution, a political system, based on the votes of the Iranian people was established in Iran for the first time.
Upon the victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran under the leadership of Imam, sense of responsibility developed in the realm of politics and turned into the source of legitimacy and strength.
Undoubtedly, the historic referendum played a decisive role in determination of the fate and destiny of the country.
At the very sensitive juncture of history, Imam Khomeini recommended the relevant aughorities that all means must be resorted to organize the referendum immediately after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Imam established the Islamic-democratic system based on religious values and the aspirations of the mass public.
Following the landmark referendum, a milestone in the history of the Islamic Revolution, popular vote, the elections was widely accepted and accepted as vital norm and was institutionalized in the structure of the Islamic system.
It is notable that several individuals and officials had asked Imam to hold vote at a later suitable stage as people have demonstrated their trust at his leadership during massive rallies in support of the Islamic Revolution.
Imam had always sought people massive participation in all crucial decisions of state as a vital.
Iran has held several presidential, parliamentary and Assembly of Experts votes over the nearly past four decades following the victory of the Islamic Revolution under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini,
The founder of the Islamic Republic had frequently stressed the massive participation of people in all fields, including political, cultural and cultural affairs.