original selection; primary election
Refers to the initial selection process, often in a political context, before a final election or appointment. Not a common everyday word; mostly used in formal or technical discussions of electoral systems.
The candidates were narrowed down in the original selection.
Compound of 本 (ほん, 'main' or 'original') and 選挙 (せんきょ, 'election'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is used in specialized electoral contexts.