Noun
abstentionism (countable and uncountable, plural abstentionisms)
A policy of abstaining or of the desirability of withholding one's vote or other participation with regard to some aspect of the political process. [First attested in the mid 20 century.]
Abstentionism is a manifestation of political independence.
At the 1983 Ard Fheis the constitution was amended to remove the ban on the discussion of abstentionism to allow Sinn Féin to run a candidate in the forthcoming European elections. Source: Internet
During this time, de Valera came to believe that abstentionism was not a workable tactic in the long term. He now believed that a better course would be to try to gain power and turn the Free State from a constitutional monarchy into a republic. Source: Internet
Sinn Féin has a policy of abstentionism and so its MPs refuse to take their seats in Parliament. Source: Internet
This calculation excludes the Speaker, Deputy Speakers (two Labour and one Conservative) and Sinn Féin (who follow a policy of abstentionism ). Source: Internet