“About 500 of the 1494 delegates could not be present for voting, for personal or other reasons. ”

1494 actaully represents 166 NSA’s (division by 9) which is fewer than the 2003 and 1998 eligible numbers reported in the Plan Summary of Achievement reports for the last two plans which were published by the Bahai World Center:

Ninth Convention 2003: 1602 eligible delegates (96 percent participation, p.107 Summary 2006) = 178 NSA

Eight Convention 1998 : 1575 eligible delegates (98 percent participation p.6, Summary 2001 = 175 NSA

I would be interested if the news report understated the eligible count or whether there was a sense that there might have been fewer NSA’s (for whatever internal/external causes) at this convention?

The Bahai World volume for 2005-2006 published about Ridvan 2007 reported 179 NSA’s at Ridvan 2006 (presumably immediately prior to the elections). Which is 12 fewer than the 166 which would have been eligible at Ridvan 2007.

I’m sure, if the news reports are correct, this is due to disturbed external conditions in the world but I would be delighted to hear otherwise of a delegate number number closer to 2000. That would mean more than 200 National Spiritual Assemblies! Fantastic.