In this village, which is a typical example, the people re-elected, for the sixth time, the incumbent director - who is also a party branch leader.

While Zenith's incumbent directors appear to have won, at least for now, the possibility remains that some could still be ousted.

But it could lead to an incumbent director - perhaps even Mr. Eisner - being voted off the board.

It said that the re-election of the incumbent directors had been challenged, but that it believed the preliminary results would be upheld.

In a proxy fight, incumbent directors and management have the odds stacked in their favor over those trying to force the corporate change.

His popularity growing, Tucker in 1986 decided to run against the incumbent regional director.

Fearing that shareholders might vote against the incumbent directors, the directors decided to change the rules.

He successfully lobbied major institutional shareholders, including insurance companies, banks and large investment firms to take the rare action of voting against an incumbent director.

For example, Fidelity says it will generally vote for incumbent directors and nominees except when they "clearly appear to have failed to exercise reasonable judgment."

The company has also amended its bylaws so that incumbent directors not receiving a majority of votes cast must offer their resignations.