http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48 Basically every "season", fans get to vote on their favorite member of huge roaster-pop gr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48 Basically every "season", fans get to vote on their favorite member of huge roaster-pop group that J-pop has pioneered. "The group has publicized special events to choose the promotional and recording lineups for some of its singles.[191] In 2009, the concept of sōsenkyo (総選挙?, "general elections") was introduced.[19] To obtain a ballot, voters must purchase the group's latest "election single."[192] Members who receive the most votes will participate in the recording of AKB48's next single[19] and are heavily promoted,[5] with the top vote-getter the centerpiece of the group's live performances.[191][192] Votes in the 2011 election exceeded one million, and the single "Everyday, Katyusha" (which contained a ballot for the election) set a Japanese record for weekly sales of a CD single.[193] The 2012 election had nearly 1.4 million votes,[191] and the 2013 election had 2.6 million votes.[194] Fans have reportedly bought hundreds (or thousands) of copies of singles to vote for their favorite members."