People's presence deflected war from Iran, not officials'

 Leader of the Islamic Revolution said Sun. participation at upcoming presidential elections ensures national security, adding it was the presence of the people and not the officials’ measures that has kept the shadow of war away from the country.   Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received on Sunday a number of workers from all across the country on the eve of International Workers' Day on May 1.   “The fact that shameless and bullying enemies avoid delivering any hard measures against the Islamic Republic is due to the presence of the people. They are scared of the people, in the true sense of the word,” Leader stressed, adding “these are not analyses, but concrete facts with provable documentations. When the nation takes to the scene, the enemy seeking to engage in conflict with the establishment will be forced to retreat and avoid confrontation.”   “When distance forms between the nation and the establishment, when the people do not participate on the scene, the enemies will then do as they please,” he added.   Ayatollah Khamenei then called on all officials and organizations in charge of presidential elections to guarantee the absolute safety of the people’s votes. He addressed the presidential candidates next, advising them to make their intentions close to what God would deem best. “Do not come for power, but for providing service to the people, especially the underprivileged,” he said, adding “choose your vows according to your efforts in support of the poverty-stricken part of the country.”   Leader went on to add, “we will not be able to bring this country to full prosperity without revolutionary efforts, and by that I mean those who set out the rules, are required to create shortcuts [and pave the way] for the people and the entrepreneurs.”  “I will never tell the people whom to vote and whom not to vote, but I do insist that they come to the ballot boxes and vote for whomever they consider best qualified for presidency,” he stressed.  Ayatollah Khamenei further deemed full, impartial compliance with law the necessary condition for holding a satisfactory election, adding “people’s votes are people’s rights; whoever violates people’s rights will not be able to overcome [this atrocity].”