To clear some of this up, I did not partake in the voting and the votes were placed prior to me being informed. I was told that I was not in place to tell anyone due to what it would mean for me and others as well as the community as a whole. I was placed under a great deal of distress finding out that someone who was very close to me had taken part in something that not only created trouble for them but for me too. I was told that I was never supposed be informed of what had been going on and that I need to keep shut about any knowledge even to those who knew.
At first I was only informed that the votes had been visible to forum administrators and that I was apparently catching up. I was then told not to mention this to anyone in order to avoid complications with the vote but that the owners knew and were patching it. It later turned out that Chute and EMP were not yet aware regardless of what I'd heard.
Later I was finally informed of what had happened with the votes and told that whilst we'd gained some votes via our campaign that it hadn't been enough and that votes had been forged and that the current votes had been leaked regardless of efforts by Chute and EMP to stop them from being leaked.
Whilst being informed Para said I couldn't say anything at all as he wasn't supposed to tell me about it. I was also repeatedly told "Please remember this is being done for you, because we're friends" and "We all know what would happen to the community without this". These things made me extremely anxious, worried and left me feeling preassure to the point of me suffering the consequences in my daily life in the form of anxiety due to me being in the place of either betraying two friends and risking dealing a massive blow to the community as I was told I would if I was to say anything.
Finally, I'd like to say that ultimately I was the only one of the people who knew that came out on my own and reported what had happened even if it took a lot to push me to do it. I also said at several points that I would be fine or happy to have it all published as it ended up being.
As I've said to others I am at fault of not saying anything out of fear for what would happen just not in the way you have thought.
I'd like to give thanks to the rest CM team for their help in further investigating this situation after my report.
I'd also like to give a special thanks to Sarah, Chummy and Doombringer for supporting and helping me. I love you all, even though Doombringer might be evil incarnate
![;) ;)](/media/kunena/emoticons/wink.png)