“Epic turnout bolstered govt.’s credibility, power”

President’s message is as follows:

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful,

26 February 2016 has become lasting in beloved Iran’s history. The 10th Parliamentary and 5th Assembly of Experts elections were an opportunity for the Islamic Iran’s authority to reveal itself and the great image of this loyal nation shine to the world like a bright sun.

Congratulations on your efforts and high determination; and also on the love and pure emotions of you Iranian people who embraced your dear Iran with loyalty by your conscious presence and empathy. I express my gratitude for your dynamic presence and bow in respect before your great souls and endeavors. Today we all are joyous to see that Supreme Leader His Holiness Ayatollah Khamenei’s guidelines for extraordinary participation in the elections have been realized.

This system has risen from leading and divine ideas of His Holiness Imam Khomeini (RA), ideals of a pious and noble nation, and Jihad and sacrifice of the great martyrs and veterans. And now your steps and pens on 26 February, following the same fervent path, generated another hope and further greatness and motivation for all government officials to better serve the nation.

Whatever the outcome of the elections is, it is the name of Iran which will be well-known; the system, the Leader, and the nation have won; and it is the Iranian nation that exhibited its will and power of choice once again to give all officials and especially the people-elected government more credibility and authority.

The competition is over; now it is time that we open a new path by empathy and unity of the nation and government and rely on domestic power and using foreign opportunities to open a new chapter in national economic growth and advancement.

I hereby extend my gratitude to all groups, tastes, and political figures and also candidates who made the competitions lively; and also the honorable Guardian Council and Interior Ministry, executive and monitoring delegations, organs and institutions, media and information executives, and hard-working military and police forces who played a valuable part in bringing this epic election into realization.

The Government of Prudence and Hope makes a vow to anybody whose name comes out of the ballot box to attempt to make a hopeful and graceful future for the dear Iranians.

Thanks to this great gift, we fall on our knees before God and stand in respect in front of the great Iranian nation and salute you all who are the source of honor and pride in the history of Iran.

Hassan Rouhani

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

26 February 2016”