ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Tensions simmer in Guinea after violent pre-election clashes, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the political situation in Guinea. After violence broke out in the weekend, the two main candidates, Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo and opposition leader Alpha Conde, are urging their supporters to avoid further violence.

Afghan election officials 'offered £380,000', The Telegraph (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates on the Afghan elections. In the upcoming Saturday's elections, observers are expecting fraud and electoral malpractices. In the last presidential elections, observers reported on several episodes of vote-buying, ballot stuffing and intimidation.

CEC head: More than 43 candidates apply to participate in Azerbaijani parliamentary elections, Trend.az (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. The Central Elections Commission chairman, Mazahir Panahov, announced that 43 people presented the appeals for their candidacies. Elections will be on November 7.

Fiji interim regime says pre-election work on track,Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the 2014 elections in Fiji. The interim government announced that social and economic development projects are on track, and they will be done by 2014. The government also announced its decision to change the electoral law and its intention of adopting the open list system.

Two more petitions filed against Solomons election results, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on another two petitions filed against the results of the recent elections in the Solomon Island. So far, three petitions have been filed regarding the results. The final deadline for citizens and candidates is September 15.

Nigerian group commits to voter education ahead of January election, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the initiative of the Alliance for Credible Elections on voters education. This group will launch a nation-wide voter education programme for the upcoming January elections. Many observers believe that the Independent Electoral Commission had too little time for the preparations of this elections, but the chairman, Attahiru Jega, guaranteed free and fair elections.

Nigeria: EU okays Jan election dates, The Nigerian Tribune (2010)

This article reports on the EU response to the electoral calendar laid out by the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission. The EU heads of mission welcomed this initiative with satisfaction, but called for quick and incisive new actions. The EU suggested to start the updating of the voter register, among other things, to guarantee free and fair elections.

Ivorians feel hope mixed with doubt over elections, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the political situation in Ivory Coast. Overdue elections are vital, as the country recovers from the 2002-2003 war. Six electoral dates have been postponed in the past five years, and many citizens fear that the October 31st election could be just a mirage. Many steps forward have been taken: the electoral commission, for example, released the first voter list last week, after months of controversies.

Nigeria: INEC approves firms for supply for equipement, NEXT (2010)

This article reports on the voters' registration in Nigeria. The Independent Electoral Commission first shortlisted eight IT and electronic firms, and two of them have been approved to supply the machines for the voters' registration. The companies will provide the direct data capture machines within eight weeks. The electoral calendar was released last week, and preparations for the November elections are speeding up.

Afghanistan election campaign proceeds amid Taliban threats, Central Asia Online (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign in Afghanistan. The Afghan officials stated that all preparations for the September 18 elections are almost completed and they are encouraging people to participate. The Independent Electoral Commission expressed its concerns over the security challenges, but it has not exercised its constitutional power to postpone the poll.

Fears raised over influx of fake Afghan poll cards, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the thousands of fake voter registration cards discovered in Afghanistan. Security and fraud are the main issues in the Saturday elections in Afghanistan. The Electoral Complains Commission and the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan reported on the discovery of the fake cards, which could be up to 3 million (about a sixth of the voters): an unprecedented number. The authorities announced that any person found with a fake card will be arrested, and guaranteed that special measures will be implemented to recognize the real cards.

Kenya: Standoff over 80 new constituencies, The Standard (2010)

This article talks about the implementation of the Kenyan Constitution with relation to the delimitation of constituencies by the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission and the yet to be formed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Solomon Islands: Election funds accounted for in record time, The Solomon Star (2010)

This article reports on post-elections period in Solomon Islands. Two months after the poll, the Electoral Commission settled all funds given to provinces to conduct the general election. Last week, the Electoral Commission was part of a provincial "election accountant’s lessons learned" workshop, which turned out to be very useful for the evaluation of finance management of the elections. In the past elections, the EC would settle the fund in a two years period.

Musharraf to launch party next month, BBC News (2010)

This article reports on the establishment of a new party, the All Pakistan Muslim League. Former Pakistani military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, announced his decision to create the party, which he will launch in London on October 1st. Mr Musharraf lives in exile in London, and expressed his desire to run for the 2013 national elections. When in Pakistan, however, Mr Musharraf will have to face legal charges.

Election petitions filed in Solomons High Court, Radio Australia (2010)

This article reports on the petitions against the results of the recent national elections in Solomon Islands. The three high court petitions were filed by losing candidates, and in at least one of those constituencies, officials reported vote-buying and voter intimidation. In one occasion, a candidate used superstition to convince people to vote for him, threatening disastrous events if they didn't. The Electoral Commission believes that petitions will be heard by the end of the year.

Australia general election set for August 21: PM Julia Gillard, The Times of India (2010)

This article reports on the Australian Prime Minister's decision to call for early general elections. After consulting Governor-General Quentin Bryce, PM Julia Gillard announced that new elections will be held on August 21st. The ruling Labour Party leader Julia Gillard will face off conservative Liberal leader Tony Abbott.

Australia: How to dominate an electorate, one viral tweet at a time, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article discusses the importance of social networks in the upcoming Australia elections. Twitter is expected to dominate the campaign: both candidates started their own accounts right away. The Labor Party plans to use Facebook as part of their political strategy as well.

Ireland: Garda ombudsman asks for vote inquiry review, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's request for a more detailed investigation about misplaced votes in the North Wester constituency during the last European Parliament elections. The Garda Síochána (police force of the Republic of Ireland) will have to investigate again on the 3,000 votes originally attributed to candidate Declan Ganley, but belonging to independent candidate Fiachra Ó Luain. The recheck and attribution of the votes did not impact on the results of the elections.

Finland to support Afghanistan's parliamentary elections in September, ISRIA (2010)

This article discusses Finland's decision to finance and support the organization of the upcoming elections in Afghanistan. Finland will grant € 250,000 through the UNDP Electoral Fund to support the democratic development in Afghanistan.

India: Sonia set to be Congress president again, Hindustan Times (2010)

This article discusses Sonia Gandhi's decision to become the Indian National Congress President again. Her elections as leader of the party will only be finalized by the end of the year when the AICC (All India Congress Commitee) will meet in a plenary session. By the same time, the party will mark 125 years of existence and Sonia Gandhi will be the longest-serving party president.