In regard to the main question which you have posed, the
requirement of Baha'is refraining from political involvement should not be construed
merely as a comment on one's integrity; rather, it is a matter of the general
state of society and confusion in the realm of politics. To have Baha'is
involved in the regular machinery of campaign politics would be to undermine
the Faith's essential position of non-partisanship. Therefore, the House of
Justice feels that a Baha'i should neither campaign on his own behalf nor do
anything to promote his candidacy. Partisan politics, it should be borne in
mind, includes not only party affiliation but also campaigning, whether in the
context of a political party or not, by setting oneself up against another in a
political contest. There is a clear distinction which separates those elections
which take place in the public arena from those which take place in the Baha'i
community, where there is neither campaigning nor nominations. At the same
time, in view of the different circumstances involving election to office, it
is advisable for the friends to consult their Local Spiritual Assembly or
National Spiritual Assembly concerning any specific instance in which a Baha'i
would be involved in a public election.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a
letter dated July 6, 1995; The American Baha’i, vo. 51, no. 2, March/April
2020)
