What is the ruling on voting for an unknown person in a scientific field, such as research or a knowledge challenge?

Voting is a form of testimony and endorsement, and it must be based on full knowledge of the person and their worthiness. Therefore, it is not permissible to vote for someone whose qualifications and work are unknown, as this constitutes a betrayal of trust, false testimony, and deception of the requesting party. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, condemned false testimony and deception, saying: «Verily, false speech and false testimony» and «Whoever deceives us is not of us.»