{"id":3241,"date":"2011-06-04T01:33:39","date_gmt":"2011-06-04T01:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=3241"},"modified":"2011-06-04T12:42:33","modified_gmt":"2011-06-04T12:42:33","slug":"zulus-election-of-2012-king-is-contested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.carnivalneworleans.com\/?p=3241","title":{"rendered":"ZULU’S ELECTION OF 2012 KING IS CONTESTED"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Zulu<\/a>

Zulu member<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Zulu<\/a>

Zulu Coconut 2010 Ambassador<\/p><\/div>\n

This was bound to happen for many reasons. In a system that cheerfully embraces the concept of \u201cvote-buying,\u2019\u2019 it was probably only a matter of time before charges of election day irregularities marred the annual selection of a monarch to reign over the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.<\/p>\n

While many old-line Carnival organizations rely on lineage and social pedigree to choose their royalty under a shroud of secrecy, Zulu has used a democratic process to pick its Carnival personalities ever since the group was born in 1909.<\/p>\n

And Zulu encourages would-be kings to wine and dine their subjects with good food, libations and occasionally gifts.<\/p>\n

The whole case boils down to a dozen missing absentee ballots.\u00a0 The 2nd place finisher is contesting the election. He may have any excellent case if the missing ballots cannot be produced.<\/p>\n

The contest to name the 2012 King Zulu took place Sunday, with lawyer Elroy James emerging as the unofficial winner in a five-way battle.<\/p>\n

But before James can claim the crown, it looks like he must withstand a challenge from second-place finisher Jay H. Banks, who reportedly lost by seven votes.<\/p>\n

Should be very interesting!<\/p>\n