| A gathering of delegates for the purpose of electing an administrative body or for electing delegates who will in turn elect that body. Unit, district, state or other sub-national conventions are held to elect delegates who will in turn vote for the national spiritual assembly. |
| |
| All the adult Bahá'ís in a given geographic locality will comprise the delegates for a particular sub-national convention, which takes place annually. They elect one of their number to serve as a delegate to the National Convention. The number of delegates to the National Convention is determined by the Universal House of Justice and advised to the national assembly which draws up the electoral units. |
| |
| The National Convention is generally held annually during the Riḍván period (21 April-2 May).† The delegates to the National Convention vote for the members of the national assembly. They are free to vote for any adult Bahá'í in the country and are not limited to voting for other delegates. Apart from this election, the function of the Convention is to consult with the incoming national assembly. |
| |
| Shoghi Effendi wrote: 'It is the vital duty of the delegates to unburden their hearts, state their grievances, disclose their views, and explain their motives. It is the duty of the National Assembly to give earnest, prompt, and prayerful consideration to the views of the delegates, weigh carefully their arguments and ponder their considered judgments, before they resort to voting and undertake to arrive at a decision according to the dictates of their conscience. They should explain their motives and not dictate: seek information and invite discussion'.17 |
| |
| The International Convention takes place in Haifa during the Riḍván period, at present once every five years. Its purpose is to elect the members of the Universal House of Justice. The delegates to this convention are the members of the national spiritual assemblies currently serving. They are free to vote for any adult male Bahá'í in the world and are not limited to voting for other national assembly members. In addition to the election, delegates also consult on a variety of topics of importance to the Faith. |
| [BD 59-60] |
