Chapter 48 Secret Ballot

Jiang Zhaoyang was even less likely to be the person she intended to promote.

With just a little intervention, Jiang Zhaoyang's name would quickly vanish from that list.

Therefore, last night, he had eagerly dialed Chen Qigong’s number, earnestly expressing his views and strongly demanding the removal of Jiang Zhaoyang’s candidacy.

However, Chen Qigong’s response left him somewhat baffled.

He neither gave a direct refusal nor a prompt agreement, but instead replied vaguely that he needed to consult his superiors before making a decision.

This caused a faint trace of unease to stir deep within Lin Weiquan’s heart.

Yet, he still comforted himself, thinking that after all, under the influence of County Magistrate Zhang Chaoshen and He Donglai, getting Jiang Zhaoyang’s name crossed off should not be a problem.

He had never expected that Jiang Zhaoyang would still be on the candidate list today.

In all things, one only fears the unexpected.

This thought kept revolving in Lin Weiquan’s mind.

As he looked at Chen Qigong sitting securely atop the platform, ripples of anxiety inevitably welled up within him.

He could not help whispering into Chen Qigong’s ear, "Director Chen, I see some issues with these recommendation criteria!"

"There are two candidates now. What if something unexpected happens to He Di? What if his vote count turns out to be lower than Jiang Zhaoyang's?"

"What if... everything falls apart and we end up empty-handed?"

Before Lin Weiquan could finish, he was interrupted by Chen Qigong. "There is no problem. We have democracy, and we also have centralism."

"In this election, we must respect the opinions of the masses while also giving full play to the role of the organization."

"As long as He Di can secure more than half of the support, it proves that he possesses the qualifications and capability to take on this role."

随后, Chen Qigong stood up and addressed the two staff members from the County Party Committee’s Organization Department in the front row: "The prepared recommendation ballots may now be distributed."

"Please proceed with the voting according to the established procedure to ensure the fairness and transparency of the election."

The staff members moved quickly, handing out the recommendation ballots one by one into the hands of every attendee present.

Chen Qigong emphasized once more, "After receiving your recommendation ballots, please do not sign your names."

"This is a secret ballot, designed to allow everyone to genuinely and objectively express their own will."

"There are the names of two candidates on here," Chen Qigong said, standing at the podium with a sample recommendation form in hand, his gaze sweeping over the town cadres seated below, his voice clear and resolute. "Those in favor may place a checkmark next to one of the names."

"Please note, you may only choose one; you must not check both, otherwise your vote will be deemed invalid!" He paused deliberately to ensure everyone understood this point clearly.

"Also," he continued, a trace of seriousness in his tone, "you must never draw circles or make any other marks to indicate your choice; such votes will likewise be invalid."

"What we need are clear and unmistakable checkmarks."

"Finally," Chen Qigong reiterated an important point, "please make sure you look carefully and ponder thoroughly before making your choice with caution."

"This is not only taking responsibility for the candidates, but also taking responsibility for the future of our entire town."

Despite Chen Qigong’s repeated emphasis on the requirements and precautions for filling out the form.

Clearly, not everyone took these words to heart.

Some picked up their pens, glanced hastily at the candidates' names, and then unhesitatingly drew a checkmark under one of them.

Others appeared hesitant, their brows tightly knitted as if weighing the respective merits of the two candidates.

Still others stubbornly clung to the old method of circling their choice, thereby casting spoiled ballots.

Some simply abstained, refusing to check anyone at all.

Yet the majority simply chose to ignore Chen Qigong’s reminders.

Impatiently hiding from the sight of others, they secretly marked their choices beforehand, then quickly folded the forms so no one could see, sitting and waiting for the moment of voting to arrive.

Lin Weiquan sat on the presidium, his brow deeply furrowed, his gaze sweeping from time to time toward the Deputy Director of the County Organization Department, Chen Qigong, who was explaining the recommendation process and standards with great passion on the stage.

Today’s democratic recommendation meeting was, to him, fraught with helplessness and dissatisfaction.

He had originally thought that, in his capacity as the town party secretary, he could play a more dominant role in this recommendation process.

At least he could secure more support for the candidate he favored.

However, reality fell far short of his desires.

Yet, despite his silent grievances, he dared not voice them.

Once the procedure was initiated, any attempt to interrupt or influence the process would be seen as a severe challenge to organizational discipline.

Even a town party secretary like him would find it difficult to escape accountability.

Lin Weiquan’s gaze seemed firmly locked onto a certain spot on the ballot paper.

To the name of Jiang Zhaoyang, he did not even spare the slightest glance from the corner of his eye.

The hand with which Lin Weiquan held his pen trembled slightly and unconsciously—not out of nervousness, but because of some complex emotions surging deep within his heart.

Lin Weiquan took a deep breath.

Subsequently, the tip of his fountain pen fell without hesitation, pressing down firmly to place a checkmark beneath the name "He Di."

Dong Xian, being the Organization Commissioner, naturally understood the hidden intricacies and needed no further explanation; he likewise picked up his pen and checked "He Di" on his ballot.

The person present who felt the most depressed, lost, and bewildered was none other than He Di himself.

He had originally thought today’s democratic recommendation meeting would be a "coronation ceremony" devoid of any suspense, an affirmation of his contributions.

Because Lin Weiquan had called last night to demand the removal of Jiang Zhaoyang’s name, and a town party secretary handling such a matter should have been a done deal beyond doubt.

Yet he had never anticipated that the recommendation briefing from the County Organization Department would strike like a bolt from the blue, with Jiang Zhaoyang’s name remaining firmly and unshakably on the candidate list.

He Di’s expression darkened instantly, his inner confidence and anticipation instantly replaced by an indescribable sense of loss.

What on earth was going on here?

Had neither his father’s communications nor the county magistrate’s words had any effect?

Just last night, Organization Commissioner Dong Xian had assured him that the position of deputy town mayor was exclusively his.

However, the world was unpredictable.

Such a confounding "twist" had still managed to occur.

He Di’s heart sank as well, feeling as though it were being crushed by a massive boulder, making it hard to breathe.

Despite the profound emptiness in his heart, He Di forced himself to calm down.

He picked up his pen and directed his gaze toward the recommendation form.

In the column for "recommended candidate," he unhesitatingly checked his own name—"He Di."

The most shocked person of all was Jiang Zhaoyang himself.

It felt like a dream—how on earth had he truly, without any prior warning, suddenly become one of the solemnly recommended candidates for leadership positions?

This news struck like thunder on a clear day.

Leaving even Jiang Zhaoyang himself plunged into deep disbelief.

Inside the meeting room, Chen Qigong’s gentle yet powerful voice rang out, "Alright, I see everyone is almost finished filling them out."

"Next, please proceed in an orderly fashion, single file, and carefully cast the recommendation ballots in your hands into the solemn ballot box set up below the presidium."