Hi Sam, to give more detailed context : we have first 3 rounds of election following an agreed process between Commercial Stakeholder Group (CSG) and Non-commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) , nominating 1 candidate each. but this first 3 rounds ended with deadlock since the winner needs to get 60% of the votes (8 among 13 votes) following GNSO operating rules you were proposed a compromise candidate to CSG as a way to fix this deadlock. unfortunately, CSG didn't accept your candidature as compromise after you got chance to defend your case with them . It cannot be a compromise if the other party rejects it. we are working to find a modus vivendi with CSG and get a board member who get endorsement from both sides of non-contracted party in GNSO (NCSG and CSG) and not lean toward only one side. CSG just proposed their compromise candidate and we will have chance to interview him . just as reminder the process of election is up to stakeholders group to decide for operating rules and there will be a election. I don't see any legitimacy issue here because any board member for the seat 14 has to be elected by 60% at the end within non-contracted party then confirmed by GNSO council. Best, Rafik 2014-06-21 2:06 GMT+09:00 Sam Lanfranco <[log in to unmask]>: > NCSG colleagues, > > As the currently proposed NCSG candidate for ICANN Board Seat #14 I have > maintained a discrete silence while the process was underway. I of course > have followed closely the events surrounding the process and its current > stalled state. I have also responded to questions from the commercial > stakeholders, in writing, in teleconference calls, and in meetings in > Washington D.C., at my own expense. > > I have agreed to run for the seat on the simple premise that my skills and > experience will be an asset for the tsunami of issues that will confront > the ICANN board over the next several years, and I remain a candidate for > Board Seat #14. The nature of some of the questions put on the table by the > commercial stakeholders reinforced my conviction that I can bring a useful > and constructive perspective and insights to Internet policy and ICANN > organizational issues confronting the Board. > > However, this is not a campaign speech. It is an expression of concern > about preserving the reputation of ICANN and integrity of ICANN’s > procedures around the Board Seat #14 election. There is supposed to be a > voting procedure here. The two constituencies proposed candidates. All knew > the likely outcome of the first rounds of votes, but procedures were > followed, and votes were taken. Neither candidate was elected. I was > proposed as a substitute candidate from the NCSG. At that point the > election process stalled as various parties sought outcomes in the absence > of the next stage in the voting process. > > As a candidate I of course have my hopes, but that is not the issue. If > there is no vote at this stage, and subsequent votes if necessary, the > integrity of ICANN’s Board Seat #14 process is compromised, as is that of > ICANN. As well, any occupant of Board Seat #14 will serve under a cloud of > questionable legitimacy, both within the Board and beyond ICANN. > > Regardless of expectations about the outcome of the next round of voting, > I urge the constituent parties to proceed according to the ICANN procedures > set down for the process. Lastly, I remind us that the GNSO review is > underway and that a failed process for the new Board member reflects poorly > on all of our constituencies and points to the need to modify the current > structure. > > Sam Lanfranco > > ---------------------------------------------- > Sam Lanfranco (Prof Emeritus & Senior Scholar) > NPOC Member from CSIH (Canada) > Econ, York U., Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - M3J 1P3 > email: [log in to unmask] Skype: slanfranco > blog: http://samlanfranco.blogspot.com > Phone: 613 476-0429 cell: 416-816-2852 >