First, read this blog entry:

The Universal House of the International Teaching Center of Justice

And here is a report on how elections work at the national level.

https://news.bahai.org/story/1675/

National Bahá’í Conventions: A unique electoral process

June 7, 2023

BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — The past weeks have seen Bahá’í communities around the globe elect their national governing councils—known as National Spiritual Assemblies. The series of annual conventions will conclude with Guam, where Typhoon Mawar has caused some delay.

National conventions bring together delegates who have earlier been elected in district or “unit” conventions across the country. National conventions provide an opportunity for delegates, from each unit, to carry out their sacred responsibility of voting for the members of the National Assembly in a joyful and spiritual atmosphere.

The election of the National Assembly follows the basic Bahá’í electoral procedures: there is no nomination or campaigning, secret ballots are used, electors consider moral character and capability, and those women and men who receive the most votes are elected.

There are also consultations among the delegates, who explore insights from Bahá’í endeavors toward social transformation at the local, regional, and national level. These endeavors involve educational programs that build capacity for community-building, as well as social action, and participation in societal discourses.

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Also, watch these videos:

Because there are not nominations or campaigning, it is impossible for others to openly challenge the leadership and demand change. Incumbents are virtually guaranteed to win. And that means the leadership can pretty much do whatever the hell they want, regardless of the actual needs of the people.

A perfect example is this:

The Desperation of the Baha’is as the 100th Anniversary of the Death of Abdu’l-Baha Approaches

Who the fuk asked for this?!

And they paid for their hubris too!

Abdu’l-Baha’s Shrine Burns to the Ground

Then there was this incident in Italy:

Whitewashing corruption among Italian Baha’is

 

Note this also:

National conventions bring together delegates who have earlier been elected in district or “unit” conventions across the country.

Is that how ALL national Baha’i elections are run? Especially large Baha’i communities might have to elect delegates from districts, but for tiny Baha’i communities on islands or other small nations or divisions within nations, they could just have members of Local Spiritual Assemblies or even the entire community membership do the electing. The results would likely be the same.

If you look at the events being depicted, it looks like they are joyful, profoundly spiritual matters. But a process that enables corruption and chokes off debate and real chances for change is hardly worth doing.