Ledgem, you're still thinking this is a pure moe tournament where there is no politics. But if you're been to any saimoe arena, it's exactly that - saimoe is politics. Japan Saimoe has way more factions and other strategic voting, but it's still the same idea. Saimoe will never be a 100% accurate representation of moe every round. It's a game of thrones.
When you consider brackets, it's much nastier. For example, take last year's semifinals, Kanade vs. Shana, Mikoto vs. Kuroneko. Many Mikoto fans will be thinking to vote for Shana (the statistically weaker character) just so Mikoto will face Shana instead of Kanade
whether they like Shana more than Kanade or not. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. But it's all strategy. You may not like it, but that's really how it is, and what can we do about it? Nothing. Actually, the reason some people do not find ISML "fun" is because there's less politics than in Japan Saimoe. They do not want an accurate representation of character strength, but rather a game between the voters and the factions they're a part of.
What ISML does is provide you a voting form - we do not tell you how to vote. People use abstain because they don't know both characters, they don't know one character, or they like both characters equally. We don't explain in what situations should you abstain. So when people vote a certain way, it's their choice. Your idea of "voting for the character you like best" is really just that, your own interpretation of the ISML voting form. It's not by any means a bad thing.
_____
In other news, if you have an account in ISML forums, nominations for ISML 2012 Male Tournament is open. Please go to the thread below to submit.
http://www.internationalsaimoe.com/f...php?f=8&t=3305