[governance] Notice to the IGC on Proposed Charter Amendments

[Kerry Brown]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstain

Abstain or a blank vote can mean different things or the same thing depending on the context. I don't think the actual wording on the ballot is important. In this context I take it that either wording is not a protest vote. In this context I take it to mean that for some reason I wish it to be recorded that I voted but I have no preference for a winner.

Kerry brown

From: governance-request at lists.igcaucus.org [mailto:governance-request at lists.igcaucus.org] On Behalf Of Imran Ahmed Shah
Sent: January-14-13 9:28 PM
To: Norbert Bollow; governance at lists.igcaucus.org
Subject: Re: [governance] Notice to the IGC on Proposed Charter Amendments

>In the IGC context, I would interpret an "abstain" vote not as a
protest vote but rather as saying "I care, but don't know the
candidates well enough to be able to express a preference".
If some don't know the candidates well enough, "Blank Vote" is the right substitute to cast a vote in favor/against or 'Abstain'.

>Our situation here is different from elections systems where it's
difficult to become a candidate and/or where it's difficult to
communicate dissatisfaction by means other than "protest votes". In the
IGC, if people want to protest against something, they can simply post
to the mailing list and explain the grievance. Therefore I don't see any
reason why someone would want to use the voting process as a means of
protesting.

Yes, I agree with you and could not understand that why someone would require 'abstain' voting option just to show any kinf of 'grievance' or 'to protest' against the system or candidates? Instead of the provisioning of 'abstain', the 'blank vote' may serve the purpose.

Regards

Imran

From: Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch<mailto:nb at bollow.ch>>
To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org<mailto:governance at lists.igcaucus.org>
Cc: 'Imran Ahmed Shah' <ias_pk at yahoo.com<mailto:ias_pk at yahoo.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, 15 January 2013, 1:22
Subject: Re: [governance] Notice to the IGC on Proposed Charter Amendments

Imran Ahmed Shah <ias_pk at yahoo.com<mailto:ias_pk at yahoo.com>> wrote:

> With reference to the recently proposed amendment for the Voting
> Options by adding "Abstain", whereas the abstention traditionally used
> for an active & protest gesture and beneficial for the sake of
> protesting against the system or candidates.

In the IGC context, I would interpret an "abstain" vote not as a
protest vote but rather as saying "I care, but don't know the
candidates well enough to be able to express a preference".

Our situation here is different from elections systems where it's
difficult to become a candidate and/or where it's difficult to
communicate dissatisfaction by means other than "protest votes". In the
IGC, if people want to protest against something, they can simply post
to the mailing list and explain the grievance. Therefore I don't see any
reason why someone would want to use the voting process as a means of
protesting.

Greetings,
Norbert

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