“Voters in the cities, like Harare and Bulawayo, voted No by three to one, whilst in the rural heartlands that were expected to vote Yes there were widespread abstentions.”

“The Prophet encouraged praiseworthy things and urged abstention from vices.”

“Renunciation of any form of enjoyment is implicit in the concept, but in practice, it most often implies abstention from food, or from a particular kind of food, for a certain period of time.”

“While abstinence may be a desirable goal for these individuals, not many accomplish it.”

“Empirical findings indicate that most people who reduce their drinking, even short of total abstinence from alcohol, report positive outcomes.”

“Still, other believers were espousing abstinence from sexual relations.”

“And is not total abstinence the only safe side for the abstainer himself?”

“It's been several months since I've been an abstainer.”

“I'd rather be an abstainer than to vote for someone who does not share my values.”

“That is not to suggest that I am a model of abstemiousness who has never made an idiot of himself after five too many.”

“He does not seem to smoke or drink, although he has downplayed his abstemiousness since joining the drinks group.”

“My urbane friend, going through the motions of abstemiousness, can't resist a taste.”

“With 175,000 votes, the party has edged ahead of the SDLP and secured four Westminster seats, despite its unchanged policy of abstentionism.”

“He was integral in influencing Sinn Fein's decision to drop Dail abstentionism in 1986 and argued strongly that democratic politics would strengthen the republican cause.”

“It was not until 1986 that the party abandoned abstentionism and declared itself ready to take seats in the Dail.”

“During the next one hour, the youngsters read out verses comprising abstinency, kindness, generosity, brotherhood and other benefits of fasting.”

“Following several hours of debates, a council vote to accept the plan was passed by 29 in favour with four votes against and 20 abstentions.”

“The US will therefore be able to find a majority of positive votes with a few abstentions.”

“The proposal was soundly defeated in a recorded vote with only 11 voting for the motion. 67 voted against and there were 11 abstentions.”

“This is not to say that total abstainers should now feel obliged to drink alcohol every day.”

“People who consume alcohol in moderation have a higher average IQ than total abstainers.”

“They do not believe in the voting power and are often abstainers, even if they consider the vote as the pillar of democracy.”