Abstention vs. Abstinence
Abstention = refusal to vote, abstaining In the election to the local council, there were three abstentions. There were ten votes in favour, three against and two abstentions. Political parties are expecting high levels of abstention in the forthcoming elections. Abstinence = the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol or sex; teetotalism; temperance; self-restraint etc. He started drinking after ten years of abstinence. She observed two days of abstinence from food and drink as penance for wrongdoing. Among birth control methods…