Is it possible to be elected marshall in the base M&B?

[Vladimir Aristov]

Or was that possibility added in the expansion, because I've got about 1100 renown atm, highest of all the vassals but less then Sanjar Khan (I'm with the Khergits), my friendship with the khan is at 100, and that of most vassals at 25-35, with the "evil" ones being the exception, although its above 0 in all cases, and my honor is 90.
I thought that pretty much single handedly whiping out the Vaegirs and most of the Swadians would be enough to at least get ELECTED, especially since all the other vassals do is hang around in their castle and doing some patrolling every once in a while, but apparently it's not good enough.
Also, I remember when I started playing I had the option to vote during marshall election between 2 vassals, but I never see that happen anymore, I just see a "<Insert vassal with half my renown and army size> is the new marshall" message appearing periodically, so do I have to be close to our homeland to be able to vote instead of conquering enemy capitals and fortresses since the rest cba or something?
And one last offtopic question: is the khergit elite armor available in the base game? It looks way better then plate armor and I'd love to get it, I've checked all the khergit capitals alot of times but I've never seen it appear.

 

[Berpol]

Yes, it is possible.
To be elected the king has to start the election and suggest you as one of the two candidates.
Your problem is that there hasn't been any elections, possibly because the current marshal hasn't lost for some time (likely because you helped win the fights).
If I remember correct an election will be held when he is looses a fight regardless whether he is captured or not.

The items you can buy at the traders are not faction specific so you can also check the other cities.
But the elite armor I have on my mind is not available anyway - of course you could mean another one.

 

[Trego163]

Another way to become marshall which is probably the easiest if your serving a small fraction. You can find a claimant to that fractions throne. He will automatically set you marshall of the rebellion and for a while the fraction itself if you manage to win the uprising. 

 

[Azn_soul]

Having good relations with all lords also assure longer marshal term and chance to get relected( as soon as i finished helping the claimnant the election came up and the king/Queen asked my character if i wanted to be in the election if not another lord will be next in line)