Question

abstention means :
the act of increasing the prestige or power of something
the act of distributing something according to a plan
the act of connecting syllables or words with a type of dash
the act of declining to vote for or against something

Explanation:

The term "abstention" in a voting - related context means choosing not to vote either in favor or against a particular matter. The other options describe different concepts.

Answer:

the act of declining to vote for or against something