【明報專訊】China Central Television (CCTV) produces every year a gandong zhongguo programme (感動中國人物評選). People pick from a hundred candidates widely regarded as having done society much good. The programme is well received.
However, according to some critics, the authorities have rigged this year's poll. It is said that Internet voters sharply increased in a very short time. Some suspect the authorities have tried to influence the outcome of the poll by hiring voters.
Yang Cheng Wan Bao (《羊城晚報》) has reported that the Jiangxi (江西) authorities may have used their administrative powers to boost voting. A netizen who claimed to be a student said his school had forced its students to vote every day. The Yang Cheng Wan Bao article says at least 25,000 netizens have been employed to vote for specified candidates.
■Keywords
equity 公平
ballot 選票
■Further readings
Ming Pao. "「感動中國人物」投票
網絡水軍受命灌水",2010.12.07
■Questions
1. What issue is the article about?
2. How would the abuse of administrative powers affect poll results?
3. What qualities do you think a person must have to qualify as a candidate in the poll?