Well, there are "winner takes it all" systems where the one with the most votes gets the seat, regardless of how much of those casting their vote he represents--I understand that's how the British (or is that English? as Scotland has a parliament?) House of Commons is elected--and there's systems that require a majority (i.e. over 50%) of those who actually cast their vote. (It's never those who are *eligible* to vote, Jim, or you would be right that there could never be a successful presidential election. Those who vote are supposed to represent those who don't.) In the latter case--which appears to be more common in present-day democracies--there needs to be a second ballot or coalitions must be formed. There are even systems that would allow candidates who don't seem to have a realistic chance to donate their votes to a candidate with a better chance.
This is a decision that should have been made *and announced* beforehand, of course. With four candidates it was to be expected that nobody would get over 50% of the votes in the first ballot. Whatever the cabinet decides *now*, in full knowledge of the result, is open for criticism.
Personally, like most who have posted here, I have some problems with an election where the winner represents only a third of those who voted. Had this been known beforehand, it is conceivable that some candidates had decided not to run, so not to spoil the chance of a clear decision. Take it to extremes and suppose we had 10 candidates, then one could have won by representing just 11% of the vote, and that seems to stretch the idea of "democracy" or let's say representative government a little, does it not?
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D.S. "Green Horse" Walter, Maréchal d'Empire
Baron d'Empire, Duc des Pyramides
Commandant de la [url="http://home.arcor.de/dierk_Walter/NWC/3_VI_AdR_Home.htm"]3ème Division[/url], VIème Corps Bavarois, L'Armée du Rhin
Commandant [url="http://home.arcor.de/dierk_Walter/NWC/EdM_start.htm"]L'Ecole de Mars[/url], L'Armée du Rhin
Commandant de la Brigade de Tirailleurs de la Jeune Garde
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