Saturday, May 19, 2007

Election 109 - Toss Coin for Ties!

Did you know that one of the options for deciding a tie in the elections is a toss coin? The other option is by drawing lots. This happened in one of the towns of Bontoc when two candidates (Bellang and Ngeteg) were tied for the last slot. When the election official announced that the tie will be resolved via a toss coin, the people thought that she wad joking. But when she brought out a coin and was ready to toss, that was the time when they realized she was serious. The candidates (who are relatives) talked about the process and had a gentleman's agreement to honor the result of the process. Bellang won the toss and was declared councilor!
You may criticize the process but it is an approved process. Why subject the people to another tedious elections? Why spent more for it? In a civilized place, a toss coin would do! My kudos to the people of Bondoc especially to the two candidates. I hope that all elections in this country will be done in the same spirit. In that case, our elections would be a wonderful rather than a distressful exercise!

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