An attempt by a South African man to auction off his vote for the 2009 general elections on bidorbuy has come to an abrupt end.
The seller of the unusual offering claimed in his online auction listing that he needed help to solve his personal political dilemma. He said he found all the six parties he shortlisted (the ANC, Cope, DA, Freedom Front, IFP and ID) inadequate, and decided to turn to bidorbuy and go with the choice of the highest bidder.
According to bidorbuy director Andy Higgins, the bid was closed as it was too controversial. “We felt this auction contravened everyone's inalienable right to vote and the secrecy of the voting procedure. That is why we decided to close it.”
The vote-selling youth - who provided his portrait in the listing - first considered rolling a dice, but then decided to auction his vote. “I figure that if someone is passionate enough to bid the highest amount, then that is reason enough for me to go with their choice, considering how undecided I am,” he said on his profile.
The bidding for the young man's vote reached R53 before the auction was closed.
It seems the 700 visitors to this auction were more interested in discussing this unusual sale than acquiring an extra vote. One visitor urged the indecisive youth to vote “with his head and his heart”, another said: “This is the best I have heard of in a while.”
Share