Is it permissible to take money for voting?

Question

A question regarding the permissibility of accepting money in exchange for voting in elections. [AR_ID:5439]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

The highest religious authority encourages everyone to participate consciously and responsibly in the upcoming elections. While these elections may have some shortcomings, they remain the safest path to guide the country towards a future that is hoped to be better than the past, helping to avoid the dangers of chaos and political deadlock.

Voters should learn from past experiences and recognize the value of their votes and their important role in shaping the country's future. They should seize this important opportunity to bring about real change in the management of the state and to keep corrupt and incompetent hands away from its key positions. This is possible if the aware individuals unite and participate actively in voting and make informed choices. Otherwise, the failures of previous parliamentary councils and the governments that emerged from them will be repeated, and it will be too late to regret.

The highest religious authority reiterates today what it stated before the last elections: it does not support any candidate or electoral list whatsoever, leaving the matter entirely to the voters' convictions and opinions.

However, it emphasizes that they should scrutinize the backgrounds of the candidates in their electoral districts and only vote for those who are honest and capable, who care for Iraq's sovereignty, security, and prosperity, and who are trustworthy regarding its original values and higher interests. They should be cautious not to empower incompetent individuals or those involved in corruption, or parties that do not believe in the constants of the noble Iraqi people or operate outside the constitutional framework, as this poses significant risks to the country's future.

The authority also urges those responsible for the elections to ensure they are conducted in a reassuring atmosphere, free from the influences of money, illegal weapons, or external interventions, and to maintain the integrity of the elections and safeguard the voters' voices, as they are a trust placed upon them. May God grant success.

Source: Official website of His Eminence Sayyid Sistani, may God protect him.