US First lady and senator-elect Hillary Clinton added her voice Friday to the chorus of political figures calling for the abolition of the electoral college which is used to determine the winner in presidential elections.
"I believe strongly that in a democracy we should respect the will of the people, and to me that means it's time to do away with the electoral college and move to the popular election of our presidents," Clinton said.
She was speaking to reporters at the airport in Albany, capital of New York State, during a victory tour to celebrate her election last Tuesday to represent the state in the US Senate.
In Tuesday's presidential election, Democratic candidate Al Gore appeared to have narrowly won the popular vote, but could still lose the presidency if his Republican rival George W. Bush picks up the 25 electoral college votes still up for grabs in Florida.
The electoral college is enshrined in the US Constitution, and any attempt to eliminate it would require a constitutional amendment, requiring support from two-thirds of both houses in the US Congress, as well as approval by legislatures in three-quarters of US states -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
