Agencies :
The voting process for the Miss Universe pageant has been the subject of much controversy. Viewers in
several countries, including the Philippines, have expressed anger over the sudden extension of the voting period without prior announcement.
Many have questioned the impartiality of the contest due to the organisers’ decision.
According to the rules, the audience’s voting opportunity was supposed to end last Wednesday night.
But according to the Miss Universe Bangladesh authorities and the Miss Universe app, the voting time for the ‘People’s Choice’ round has suddenly been extended.
According to the new deadline, voting will be possible until 10:59pm on Thursday by going to the ‘People’s Choice Extended’ option.
In addition, voting in other categories such as ‘National Costume’ and ‘Evening Gown’ will be possible until 10:59pm on the 21st.
There have been mixed reactions among netizens on social media regarding the issue.
Some are seeing an opportunity to advance their favorite contestant by getting more voting time, while the leading contestants are feeling anxious.
As a result, there have been various reactions; questions have also been raised about the impartiality of the organisers.
A netizen expressed his anger and wrote, “I doubt whether Miss Paraguay is being given such an advantage because she is the girlfriend of a judge.
While people in Bangladesh and the Philippines are struggling to get votes, buying votes with huge sums of money and extending the time is unfair to ordinary contestants.”
Although the Miss Universe Bangladesh authorities did not express any objection to the matter.
In this year’s edition, the contestant representing Bangladesh, Tangia Zaman Methila, was slightly behind in the votes.
In that regard, Bangladesh also got an opportunity to bring Methila ahead in the votes.
Meanwhile, two members of the main judging panel have recently resigned, alleging rigging in the selection process of the contestants.
One of the resigning members claimed that there are some people in the temporary jury who have personal relationships with some of the contestants.
He also commented that this poses a risk of creating a conflict of interest. In the meantime, a new controversy has arisen over the extension of the voting time.
