How are the officials in Lilliput elected?

In "Gulliver's Travels," the election method employed by the officials in Lilliput is indeed unique and satirical. The correct answer is that officials are selected through a process involving jumping and dancing on ropes. This peculiar method highlights the absurdity and often arbitrary nature of political practices, as well as the arbitrary standards that the Lilliputians use to determine leadership capabilities. It serves as a critique of the political systems in the real world, emphasizing how the process of selecting leaders can sometimes seem ridiculous or disconnected from actual governance skill and merit.

The distinction from other methods such as voting, public debate, or talent surveying showcases the way Swift uses humor and satire to comment on the political landscape of his time. In reality, these processes are more conventional and logical. However, by presenting a whimsical and nonsensical approach like the rope-dancing election, Swift effectively critiques the idea that serious matters like governance should be left to chance or performance art.