a different story about elections!

Are you wishing for a new and refreshing election story? How about this one that has the hearts of Baha'is all over the world soaring--today was the day when delegates from around the world came together in Haifa, Israel to elect the Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Baha'i International Community.

At this time in the US where the end seems to justify the means, the part that thrills me about the election of the nine member Universal House of Justice is in fact not the specific individuals who will be chosen but rather the process by which they are chosen. Members of the human family from ALL OVER THE WORLD, from every imaginable racial, ethnic, national, and religious background came together in love, spirituality and unity and, in an atmosphere completely sanctified from the slightest taint of campaigning, cast their ballots. Enough to take your breath away.

To read the whole story from the Baha'i World News Service click here.

In a global procession, ballots are cast for the Universal House of Justice

29 April 2008
HAIFA, Israel —

In a ceremony that combined spiritual dignity with global diversity, a thousand Bahá’ís from 153 countries cast ballots today in an election to choose the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, the international governing body of the Bahá’í Faith.

...

The event was a study in globalism, a hallmark of the Bahá’í Faith, which has some five million followers and is established in virtually every nation.
Delegates were called by name, in alphabetical order by country. Many proudly wore traditional or native dress, an acknowledgment of their belief in the concept of unity in diversity.
The result was colorful and joyous, as women in bright ethnic dresses or simple pantsuits mixed with men in Western business suits or gaily decorated tribal costumes.
...

Chief head teller Thelma Khalghati of Guinea reads the names of each delegate as they bring their ballots forward.