Vie-publique.fr

Abstention, blank vote and null vote: what differences?

Publié le null - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

These three concepts refer to a mode of participation or non-participation in an election. They are very different even if they have in common that they are not counted in the votes cast.

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Image 1Crédits: © kazy - stock.adobe.com

Abstention means not participating in an election or in referendum operations. It reflects either a lack of interest in public life or an active political choice not to speak out in order to disagree. The trend increase in abstention seems to reflect a crisis of representation and may raise the question of the legitimacy of the elected political power with low turnout. (read more about Vie-publique.fr).

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