As to the practice of nomination in Bahá’í elections, this
the Guardian firmly believes to be in fundamental disaccord with the spirit
which should animate and direct all elections held by the Bahá’ís, be they of a
local or national character and importance. It is, indeed, the absence of such
a practice that constitutes the distinguishing feature and the marked
superiority of the Bahá’í electoral methods over those commonly associated with
political parties and factions. The practice of nomination being thus contrary
to the spirit of Bahá’í Administration should be totally discarded by all the
friends. For otherwise the freedom of the Bahá’í elector in choosing the
members of any Bahá’í assembly will be seriously endangered, leaving the way
open for the domination of personalities. Not only that; but the mere act of
nomination—leads eventually to the formation of parties—a thing which is
totally alien to the spirit of the Cause. - Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 4 February 1935,
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; ‘The Light of
Divine Justice, vol. 1)
