ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Zimbabwe: MDC-T prepares for global protests against slow pace of reforms, SW Radio Africa (2012)

It is reported the opposition MDC-T led by its leader and Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai are preparing world wide protests on the slow pace of reforms.

Zambia: Cape Town based South African company awarded tender to print ballot papers for next month By-Elections, Lusaka Times (Times)

It is reported that a South African based Lithotech Exports Limited has been awarded a tender to print ballot paper for the parliamentary by-elections. This was revealed in a statement made by the public relations manager of Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Cris Akufana.

Canada: Shopping for votes: Can you buy an election? Montreal Gazette (2011)

The article discusses campaign funding in Canada. In the coming 2 May elections, parties face strict spending rules from Elections Canada, but opposition has accused the governing party of spending public funding to promote its political programs.

France: Martine Aubry spurred by Socialist poll victory, BBC news (2011)

The article describes the results of French local elections. The Socialists got 36 per cent of the votes which underpins suggestions of Socialist leader Ms. Aubry's possible presidential ambitions. France will hold presidential elections in 2012.

Syria to hold local poll amid boycott calls, Aljazeera (2011)

This news article says that today, Monday 12 December, the Syrians will cast their ballots in local elections for the first time since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nine months ago. More than 14.5 million are eligible to vote in first such election since local administrations were given more power.

Egypt army affirms parliament role over constitution, Reuters (2011)

This news article says that only parliament will choose the make-up of a constituent assembly, the army said which appears to be a retreating from earlier statements that riled Islamists and others when a general said unelected bodies would have a role in the selection process.

Northern Mariana Islands - Election Results Archive - Commonwealth Election Commission

this link leads to the Northern Mariana Commonwealth Election Commission archives. The page includes the results of the past elections.

Canada: Why do municipal electors not vote?, Canadian Journal of Urban Research (2006)

This paper examines through telephone surveys, the reasons why electors did not exercise their right to vote at the municipal level and Voter turnout in Canada has declined in the last several decades and is now among the lowest in the western world. When non-voters were asked why they did not vote, the most frequent reason was lack of information about candidates and the poor quality of the candidates. The person most likely to vote is a senior, upper income, born outside Canada, owning their own home, and politically and community involved. These results are not dissimilar to those in a recent survey of federal electors.

Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters - Guidelines and Explanatory Report, Venice Commission (2002)

The following guidelines are a concrete response to the three aspects of the resolution taken by the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly, acting on behalf of the Assembly on 8 November 2001 in adopting Resolution 1264 (2001) . They were adopted by the Council for Democratic Elections. The explanatory report explains the principles set forth in the guidelines, defining and clarifying them and, where necessary, including recommendations on points of detail. This document is based on the guidelines appended to the explanatory memorandum to the report on which the Assembly resolution was based (Doc. 9267). It is also based on the work of the Venice Commission in the electoral field, as summarised in Document CDL (2002) 7.

Australia's Rudd loses support in state elections, Reuters (2010)

The ruling Labour Party led by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd suffered a more than 7% drop in voter support during the state elections in Tasmania and South Australia. This loss comes ahead of the national elections, scheduled for late 2010. Even though Rudd's party lost the local elections, it still leads in national surveys and polls, highlighting the fact that Australians often vote for different parties in national and state elections.

India: Chawla seeks protection for election commissioners from sacking, The Times of India (2010)

The Chief Election Commissioner, Navin Chawla, is urging the government to pass a constitutional amendment that would protect the election commissioners from arbitrary sacking. Even though there is a measure currently in place that protects the Chief Election Commissioners, Chawla argues that it should be extended to other election commissioners as well and thus strengthen the integrity and independence of the Commission.

Election violence on increase in Sri Lanka, People's Daily Online (2010)

According to election monitoring groups, more than 100 incidents of electoral violence have been recorded since the dissolution of Sri Lanka's Parliament in February 2010. The Central Province proved to be the most violent, followed by the North Western Province. Most of the violent acts are directed towards candidates of the same party as they are involved in propaganda campaigns to win preference votes. 7, 620 candidates are running for the 225 parliamentary seats.

Kenya begins voter registration

Kenya began a countrywide voter registration on Monday, a process that is set to last for the next 45 days.The country's Interim Independent Electoral Commission is targeting 18 million voters during the exercise.

Fresh demands over number of regions and counties by MPs, Daily Nation (2010)

The fight over regions as levels of devolution dominated talks at the Kenya Institute of Administration with MPs divided on the lowest unit of government. There were also fresh demands for an increase in the number of counties from 47 to a maximum of 80. Other MPs suggested the establishment of both counties and regions.

Tanzania: NEC warns issues warning ahead of General Election, The Citizen (20100

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has issued a strong warning to candidates who would flout election rules and regulations during the next October general election.

Uganda: RUKIGA BY-ELECTION: Voting begins Daily Monitor (2010)

Voting for a new Member of Parliament for Rukiga County has begun. Residents are lining up at various polling stations to cast votes for the new legislator after after their former MP Sam Byanagwa passed away three months ago.

South Africa: Azapo to strengthen its support, Sowetan (2010)

NEWLY elected Azapo president Jake Dikobo’s vision is to have the party as an official opposition in four provinces by 2014.

Madagascar: Rajoelina hardens stance after AU sanctions, IOL (2010)

The president of Madagascar has rowed back on concessions made to political rivals in power-sharing talks last year, after the African Union imposed sanctions on the Indian Ocean island.

Egypt state of emergency lifted after 31 years. BBC News (2012)

Egypt's state of emergency, which allowed the detention of suspects and segregated trials has been lifted after 31 years. Criticized widely by human rights activists, the lifting of the state of emergency was a major demand of protesters demanding a more democratic state.

Michael Sata declared Zambia’s fifth President, Lusaka Times (2011)

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has declared Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata as the country's new and fifth president.