CircleID

We really didn't have any trouble coming up with a number of good candidates when there were real elections back in year 2000.

In the election for the North American seat the candidates included the following people, all of whom were highly qualified:

Emerson Tiller, Barbara Simons, Harris Miller, Lawrence Lessig, Lyman Chapin, and Donald Langenberg.

(And myself.)

It was a very vibrant election, with real debates and real discussions.  It was quite unlike anything seen in ICANN today.

What I am suggesting is that internet users (and candidates) might be more willing to participate if ICANN were to return to its original committment to give the community of internet users a real vote for a real portion of the seats on ICANN's Board of Directors.

The nominating committee did come up with some very good people.  But we have to recognize that in the spectrum of mechanisms of governance, a nominating committee tends to reflect an oligarchic form more than a democratic one.  And as long as internet users are treated as passive subjects of governance and not as primary movers it ought not to be surprising that interest is low.

Hi Ram

With all due respect to the people you had in mind when you wrote that -

1. The people who expect to be invited are absolutely wrong as candidates - they'll have more hubris / arrogance, and be more accustomed to deference than you'd really need,

That's especially true in an environment that depends on consensus, and also needs a lot of diplomacy, like ICANN.  I can think of one or two people like that in India .. in academics, industry etc, that I wouldnt consider very good choices, even if they appear to be technically quite sound.

2. The people who dont like to tomtom their abilities are probably the best.  But well, one thing you'll have to consider is that half the ISP CEOs in India have more of a business background than an ISP background, and that there are very very few ICANN regulars who are from india [regulars who are expats of indian origin is another story altogether]

If you find someone who is not familiar with ICANN and with the issues around, even if he's technically good or politically well placed, he isnt likely to be a good choice, even if he gets elected due to geographical considerations.

Just some food for thought.

regards
-suresh

Returning to the elections that were promised is the only valid way to choose new Board Members. If the public is dissatified with the current Board Members how can they be satified with letting them choose the next set of Board Members?

Chris McElroy AKA NameCritic