More than 98.2 percent of eligible Iranians voted “yes” for the establishment of an Islamic Republic across the country in the 1979 landmark referendum.
The vote, which was held less than two months after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, is considered a turning point in the modern history of Iran.
The Islamic Republic was established in Iran in line with the popular motto of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that called for “Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic” for the country.
Since then, the nation annually celebrates Farvardin 12 on the Iranian calendar as the Islamic Republic Day.
The Islamic Revolution, led by the late Imam Khomeini, culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi regime.
What follows is the full text of the statement:
Farvardin 12 is the day of the Islamic Republic, marking the anniversary of the announcement of the results of the referendum on the Islamic Republic system in Iran in 1358 (1979). This referendum was held on the 10th and 11th of Farvardin 1358 (March 30-31, 1979) with the participation of nearly 90% of the people of Islamic Iran, and approximately 99% of participants voted 'Yes' to the Islamic Republic system.
The referendum to determine the system was held about 50 days after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, under the decree of Imam Khomeini, the great founder of the Islamic Revolution. It is rare in revolutions and political system changes around the world for the future system to be determined by referring to the people's votes in the very first days.
This move by Imam Khomeini demonstrates his attention to the pivotal role and lofty status of the people. Of course, the people's role in shaping the Islamic Republic system was not limited to this event; it continued with the elections for the Assembly of Experts for the Constitution, the constitutional referendum, presidential elections, the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), and the Assembly of Experts in the years following the victory of the Islamic Revolution up to the present.
"The Islamic Republic—not one word more, not one word less," as emphasized by Imam Khomeini—another expression of which is "religious democracy"—is a new model for governing the people's destiny, relying on unparalleled struggles and trust in Almighty God.
The unparalleled struggles of the great Iranian people, realized under the slogan "Independence, Freedom, the Islamic Republic," have both neutralized the sinister threats of enemies and placed Islamic Iran on the path of growth and development. Enemies, especially the criminal US, must remember that testing the great people of Islamic Iran will be a grave and irreparable mistake for them, and they must speak to the people of Islamic Iran with dignity and respect.
It is hoped that all, especially the executive officials of the country, will succeed in utilizing the people's capabilities for the progress of the Islamic Republic system and the realization of this year’s slogan— Investments for Production — as designated by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.