How are Bahais elected to hold office?
Baha’is are elected to a Spiritual Assembly by secret ballot without any campaigning, nominations, or electioneering. Instead, each Baha’i is expected to become personal friends with as many of his or her community members as possible. During an election, each Baha’i votes as his or her conscience dictates, choosing nine people (both men and women) who they think have the best combination of character, maturity, insight and experience to be on the Spiritual Assembly. This same process is used, with some modifications, for Baha’i elections for each National Spiritual Assembly, and the international Baha’i governing body, the Universal House of Justice. Once an Assembly is elected, it then holds an election for officers within itself, to elect a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
