abstention
ab•sten•tionBrE /əbˈstenʃn/
NAmE /əbˈstenʃn/
noun1 [countable, uncountable] ~ (from sth) an act of choosing not to use a vote either in favour of or against sth
word origin
The voting was 15 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions.Voter abstention is seen as the only real form of dissent in elections. 2 [uncountable] (formal) the act of not allowing yourself to have or do sth enjoyable or sth that is considered badThe Church insisted on abstention from all luxuries. 
see also abstain
