BWNS

Bahá’í World News Service

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Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community

13th International Convention: Representatives from 176 countries cast ballots to elect Universal House of Justice

April 29, 2023

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — After days of spiritual preparation visiting Bahá’í Holy Places, some 1,250 delegates representing 176 countries around the world assembled today in a momentous gathering to reverently cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice. The total number of ballots cast, including absentee ballots, surpassed 1590.

In her opening remarks, Holly Woodard, a Member of the International Teaching Centre who chaired the proceedings, highlighted the significance of this gathering, stating that it marked “the highest number of Assemblies ever represented and the largest gathering of participants at an International Convention.”

Dr. Woodard pointed to the evolution of the global Bahá’í community over the decades since “288 members of 51 National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies gathered in the main hall of the House of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa” for the first election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

At the start of the Convention, the Bahá’ís in Iran, who for several decades have been prevented from forming Bahá’í institutions and therefore electing representatives, were remembered by the participants, and their absence was poignantly marked by a beautiful arrangement of 95 red roses.

The casting of ballots this morning was the culmination of a global electoral process in which every adult Bahá’í can participate. Bahá’í elections are distinctive for their lack of nominations and campaigning. The delegates to the International Convention, comprising the membership of all national Bahá’í assemblies, vote by confidential ballot for the nine individuals they believe are best suited for membership on the House of Justice.

The mandate of the Universal House of Justice, which was ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws, is to exert a positive influence on the welfare of humankind, promote education, peace and global prosperity, as well as to safeguard human honor, among many other responsibilities.

The House of Justice preserves the unity of the worldwide Bahá’í community, guiding it to develop its capacity to participate in building a prosperous global civilization and to translate Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of world peace into reality.

Later in the day more than 2,000 people—delegates, Counsellors, and other participants representing a cross-section of the human race—celebrated the festival of Riḍván.

This festival commemorates the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration as a Messenger of God 160 years ago, when He proclaimed the essential spiritual principles that lie at the heart of His teachings—signaling the arrival of a new stage in the evolution of the life of humanity.

Delegates from Latvia arriving for the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates arrive for the first session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates from Korea and Japan on the first day of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates at the start of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention, before ballots are cast.
Holly Woodard, Counsellor Member of the International Teaching Centre, opened the proceedings with some remarks this morning.
Delegates say prayers on stage before the voting process begins.
A bouquet of red roses was presented to the convention on behalf the Bahá’ís in Iran, who because of continuing persecution in their homeland could not attend the gathering or participate in the election. The flowers sit onstage, front and center, during convention sessions in Haifa.
Delegates from Poland during the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates during the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
A delegate from Indonesia during the first morning session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Egypt during opening prayers at the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates applaud during the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates from Saint Lucia listen to opening remarks of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
A delegate from Indonesia listens to opening remarks of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
A delegate stands to applaud during the opening sessions of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates during the opening session of the 13th International Bahá’í Convention.
Delegates from Liberia cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Austria casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Nigeria casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Azerbaijan casts his ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Rwanda casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from the Central African Republic cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Cambodia cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Argentina cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Canada casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from the Canary Islands casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Côte d’Ivoire casts his ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Belize line up on stage to cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Mali casts his ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Croatia participate in the election of the Universal House of Justice for the first time, after the establishment of their National Spiritual Assembly in 2021.
A delegate from Croatia casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
A delegate from Egypt casts her ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Cameroon cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Fiji cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Delegates from Colombia cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
Later in the day, after voting was complete, more than 2,000 delegates, Counsellors, and other participants—representing a cross-section of the human race—celebrated the festival of Ridván.