Senbatsu Election
The Senbatsu Election (選抜総選挙) (also known as Senbatsu Sousenkyo) is an annual event where fans can vote for their favorite AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 or HKT48 member, analogous to a popularity contest. The members who receive the most votes are announced on the day of the election, but votes are submitted beforehand.
The 64 members who have the most votes are then grouped: Senbatsu (#1~#16), Undergirls (#17~#32), Next Girls (#33~48) and Future Girls (#49~#64). Each of these four groups releases their own song and music video for the following single.
Results
- AKB48 13th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Kamisama ni Chikatte Gachi Desu"
- Senbatsu (21 members), Undergirls (9 members)
- 98 members participating
- Winner (Center for Iiwake Maybe): Maeda Atsuko
- AKB48 17th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Kaasan ni Chikatte, Gachi Desu"
- Senbatsu (21 members), Undergirls (18 members)
- 104 members participating
- Winner (Center for Heavy Rotation): Oshima Yuko
- AKB48 22nd Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Kotoshi mo Gachi Desu" (First time including NMB48 members)
- Senbatsu (21 members), Undergirls (18 members)
- 150 members participating
- Winner (Center for Flying Get): Maeda Atsuko
- AKB48 27th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Fan ga Erabu 64 Giseki" (First time including HKT48 members)
- Senbatsu (16 members), Undergirls (16 members), Next Girls (16 members), Future Girls (16 members)
- 237 members participating
- Winner ([Center]] for Gingham Check): Oshima Yuko
- AKB48 32nd Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Yume wa Hitori ja Mirarenai" (First time including graduated members and Team Kaigai)
- Senbatsu (16 members), Undergirls (16 members), Next Girls (16 members), Future Girls (16 members)
- 246 members participating
- Winner (Center for Koi Suru Fortune Cookie): Sashihara Rino