1672 Elwynnese princely elections
The 1672 elections in Elwynn for Prince took place in two rounds, round 1 on 7.XII.1672 and round 2 on 9.XII.1672, in which Ander Avon-El was declared Prince-elect of the Elwynnese Republic.
Background
Due to a compromise between the South and North in Elwynn, the new Prince of Elwynn would be directly elected by the people of Elwynn in a majority election. If no candidate received majority, a second round would take place across Elwynn between the two highest-scoring candidates.
Candidates
Candidates in the election were:
- Firdaus Abdollahi Mehr. Alalehzamini lawyer of the Nationalist and Humanist Party (N&H). Considered a moderate within the party. Leads the Elwynnese transitional government until a Prince is sworn in. Runs on his merits of bringing Elwynn together, conquering the Boreals, and bringing peace, order and stabiliy to Elwynn.
- Eki Verion: former princess of Elwynn (1662–1664), who claimed herself Queen in the North in the Elwynnese civil war, and who since 1669 was confined in house arrest in Cimmeria. Brought forward as candidate by the Holy Party of the Divine Icebear with ads shouting "Bring back the Queen in the North!".
- Pedyr Mekaarveq: leader of the Elwynnese Workers' Party, led the transitional Popular Front government (with support from the Ayreonists and Verionists) before he was replaced by Mehr in a compromise with Alalehzamin. Runs on a social democratic agenda.
- Ander Avon-El: Elwynnese academic (literature). Brought forward by the Ayreonist Independence Party with support from the Verionists. Campaigns on an agenda of national reconciliation, unity, compromise. Member of the House of Ayreon-Kalirion (a cousin with Li Naomiai) and distanced himself from the Imperial Republic, saying that he has always been an Ayreonist and an Independentist. Popular among nostalgists for the former Elwynnese independent state.
Round 1
Round 1 took place on 7.XII.1672. No candidate received a majority, and a second round was planned.
| Candidate | Supported by | CE | Percentage | AAR | TOTAL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedyr Mekaarveq | EWP/AFF/MPDS | 7,110,773 | 29.76% | 2,100,824 | 9.04% | 9,211,597 | 19.54% |
| Ander Avon-El | AIP/VU | 10,917,280 | 45.69% | 6,190,274 | 26.64% | 17,107,554 | 36.30% |
| Firdaus Abollahi Mehr | N&H/Behsaz-Eluin | 5,294,028 | 22.16% | 14,827,018 | 63.80% | 20,121,046 | 42.69% |
| Eki Verion | HPDI | 570,183 | 2.39% | 120,874 | 0.52% | 691,057 | 1.47% |
| TOTAL | 23 892 264 | 23 238 990 | 47 131 254 |
Round 2
Round 2 occurred on 9.XII.1672, at the same time as congressional elections in the North.
| Round 2 | CE | Percentage | AAR | Percentage | TOTAL | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ander Avon-El | AIP/VU/EWP/AFF/MPDS | 16,203,736 | 63.76% | 10,100,388 | 37.68% | 26,304,124 | 50.37% |
| Firdaus Abollahi Mehr | N&H | 9,210,803 | 36.24% | 16,704,280 | 62.32% | 25,915,083 | 49.63% |
As such, Ander Avon-El was elected Prince of the Elwynnese Republic. Mehr conceded defeat and vowed to work together with Avon-El in securing a prosperous Elwynn. Mehr was believed to focus his efforts in the Alalehzamini government.
Reactions
Jeremiah Avon-El, military ruler of New Blackstone, was amongst the first to telegram his cousin (?) with congratulations on the occasion of his victory - suggesting that the victory of a candidate not endorsed by the Nationalist & Humanist Party would not be an insurmountable obstacle to relations between Elwynn and the territories directly controlled by Benacia Command.
Li Naomiai Avon-El, Regent of the Imperial Republic, sent a telegram to her cousin Ander Avon-El with congratulations on his victory, saying that, whether Elwynnese independence is achieved or not, she will be happy to work with him for the betterment of the Elwynnese nation. She conditioned Elwynnese independence, however, on Elwynn entering a treaty with Shireroth. She expressed a desire for Elwynn's place in the Imperial Republic as the foremost of imperial states as her preferred option of settlement.
