deselected

Deselected refers to the removal of an individual from future consideration by an organization, usually before an election, appointment, or selection for a team or position. In political contexts, it specifically denotes the decision by a political party or constituency organization not to endorse a candidate, thereby ending the prospect of that person contesting the party's nomination under its banner. Deselection can involve an incumbent or a prospective candidate and may arise from shifts in policy direction, leadership changes, internal factionalism, performance concerns, or scandals.

In parliamentary systems, local party bodies or local associations vote to withdraw endorsement, sometimes replacing the candidate through a new nomination process. Deselection is distinct from losing in an election, resignation, or retirement, because it occurs within the party's own nomination stage. In some countries, the rules and practices governing deselection vary widely and may include thresholds, appeals, or elections within the party.

Outside politics, deselection is also used in sports and in hiring processes. In sports teams, players can be deselected from a squad for a competition due to performance, age, or strategic considerations, and may subsequently be released or traded. In recruitment, candidates can be deselected during screening or interview stages when they fail to meet criteria or fit the role.

Debates about deselection center on questions of democratic accountability, procedural fairness, and the balance between internal party discipline and the electorate's representation. Proponents view it as a mechanism to ensure alignment with party standards and voters' interests; critics argue it can suppress dissent or undermine incumbent accountability.