While
there should be no mention of personalities in connection with Bahá'í
elections, it is quite appropriate for believers to discuss the requirements
and qualifications for membership in the institution to be elected. Shoghi
Effendi offers clear guidance on this point: "I feel that reference to
personalities before the election would give rise to misunderstanding and differences.
What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to
exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and
qualifications for such a membership without reference or application, however
indirect, to particular individuals." Among the "necessary
qualities" specified by the Guardian are those "of unquestioned
loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability
and mature experience". With a heightened awareness of the functions to be
performed by the elected body, the believer can properly assess those for whom
a vote should be cast. From among the pool of those whom the elector believes
to be qualified to serve, selection should be made with due consideration given
to such other factors as age distribution, diversity, and gender. The elector
should make his choice after careful thought over an extended period before the
actual election. (The Universal House of Justice, Message to the Baha’is
of the World, 25 March 2007)
