hashirama was brainless and did not truely wish for madara to become hokage

[jiraya namikaze]

Well the reason is simple in a democracy if contest is between 2 ie hashi and madara . If one of them wishes not to contest other wins ie if hashi didn't contest madara would have won

 

[Sherlock.]

Everyone wanted Hashi to contest cause Hashi had taken the Initiative of forming Konoha....

 

[xxxNaruto Sage Modexxx]

Hashirama was a wise person and the village wanted him to win not Madara

 

[soyeongun]

Democracy and systems wouldn't allow Madara to become Hokage.

 

[S A G E]

If he didn't participate, Tobirama would.
People would still vote for a Senju over an Uchiha like Madara.
So he doesn't have a chance to become the Shodaime hokage via popular vote.

 

[Lawliet L]

lol lets say madara won that time, but the people still want's hashi, do you think someone will obey madara?