Dear all,
The APNIC election website page
is showing clear bias in favour of the existing EC members seeking re-election
at the expense of the two other candidates.
Only the three existing EC
members have their names prominently listed with one click through to their
biographies. Take a look: https://2024.apricot.net/elections/about
The two other candidates, Thomas
Dragono and Rob Thomas, are not named on the front page. They are listed with
the other nominees - which, whilst the list is prominently listed - means that
they require two clicks to reach their biography.
This may not seem to you like
bias, but experts in elections say it is. This type of bias is not allowed in
best practice, free and fair elections as it is recognised as providing the
incumbent with an advantage in both name recognition and name recall as well
ease of accessing their election campaign information. Both Thomas and Rob
have grounds to complain
about their treatment. (I am not sure if
they have and it is entirely up to them).
If APNIC staff need to understand
the importance of this matter, can they think of the Australian government
(State or Federal) issuing official election communications that names only 3
out of 5 candidates on the front of the leaflet along with instructions on how
to vote? Perhaps they could take a look
here to see how it's done in Queensland.
https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/election-events/2020-election-events2/2020-state-general-election
This bias can be immediately
resolved by APNIC by either removing the names and links of the three
incumbents from the front page or adding Thomas Dragono and Rob Thomas to the
front page
with a direct link to their biographies. APNIC should seek advice on what
rebalance they can offer both Mr Dragono and Mr Thomas.
With the
problems with the outsourced voting system, restrictions on candidate
eligibility, and now this clear candidate bias, APNIC is not coming out of this
2024 election well and they will have to answer for their mistakes.
For the
2025 elections, I suggest that APNIC enroll on election awareness training
programme so that they understand how to run a free and fair election properly.
Alternatively
they could consult with ARIN who have a great track record in running well
managed, independent, impartial, free and fair campaigns that encourage active
community participation. Take a look at
the election page on ARIN’s website to see how well run elections for RIR
should be done. All RIRs should take note and follow ARIN’s example on true
community engagement and fair elections.
https://www.arin.net/participate/oversight/elections/
Despite
these serious problems about election fairness, I still encourage everyone to
vote. Let's hope APNIC acknowledge their
error and take immediate action to rectify it.
Jason,
NRS.
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