ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Zanu-PF insists on Zimbabwe elections this year, SABCNews (2011)

The article reports on the push by the ruling Zanu-PF to have elections this year. This is dispite negotiators from ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's (MDC) agreed July 6 on a timeline for election preparations which would put the polls in 2012.

Mexico:Likely Candidate Says Mexico Ready for Woman President, The Sun (2011)

A congresswoman who would be the first woman to seek a major party nomination for Mexico's presidency is "absolutely certain" her country is ready for a female leader. Josefina Vazquez Mota said her possible candidacy, yet to be declared, has met a lot of enthusiasm around the country and is buoyed by other women leaders of Latin American countries.

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Niger: Issoufou wins Niger vote in next step to civilian rule RFI

Mahamadou Issoufou is the New President of Niger. He won the election with less than 58% of the votes. The elections were clear and transparent; the inauguration will take place in April 6th. This will mark the return to civilian rule.

Benin votes despite faulty electoral rolls RFI (2011)

Despite all the registration issues, Beninese have voted on Sunday to elect their next President. The incumbent Mr. Boni Yayi has apologized for the fact that some problems arose from the use of the electronic voting system, but his opponent Mr. Houngbedji is still arguing on behalf of those who were left behind.

Islamists ahead as Egypt vote enters final leg, Reuters (2012)

In this news article, Islamists aimed to cement control over Egypt's lower house of parliament as a final phase of voting began on Tuesday (10 Jan), while a secular party's plan to boycott elections for the upper chamber threatened to weaken the liberal bloc. Islamists of various stripes are expected to win 60 percent of the 498 elected seats in the assembly's lower house, with the Brotherhood taking some 41 percent, by its own count.

Latvia: Divided over corruption and Russia, The European Voice (2011)

The article discusses the central topics debated in the current election campaign. The author makes previsions on potential alliances between political parties and future government policy orientations.

Lesotho: Parly poll set for May 26, Public Eye (2012)

The article is about the announcement of the 2012 Lesotho election date. King Letsie III has announced that parliament will dissolve on 15 March 2012 and set 26 May 2012 as the election date.

Lesotho: LCD to elect new leader, Public Eye (2012)

The article is about Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD's) upcoming elective three-day conference.

Group asks Malawi leader to resign, News24 (2012)

It is reported that one of Malawi's rights group has called for the president to step down. The group is accusing the president of mismanaging the economy and trampling on democratic freedoms.

Malaysia: General Election Preparation Top Agenda Of BN Meeting On Friday, Bernama (2011)

This article reports on the preparation of Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional in the coming general election. The Coalition will discuss their preparation, including the proposal to conduct an election dry run, in a council meeting on 13 May 2011.

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Thailand: Shooting of ex-MP may signal start of poll violence, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports on an attempted assasination of an ex-MP from Pheu Thai Party on 10 May 2011, which is seen as the first election-related violence since the house dissolution. There is a rising concern of more electoral violence in the lead-up to 3 July 2011.

Thailand: Political parties agree to sign code of conduct for election, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports that all political parties have agreed to sign code of conduct for election ahead of the 3 July election. Under the code, parties will, among others, respect and follow the letter and spirit of the constitution, election laws and regulations issued by the Election Commission, will refrain from involving the royal institution by deed or comment in the election, will refrain from vote buying and will not use state or other public resources for campaign purposes or to obtain votes.

Thailand: EC asks police to provide security, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports that Thai election commission has asked the Royal Thai Police Office to provide security for politicians and their supporters during the registration of candidates to run in the general election, following the attempted assasination of an ex-MP.

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Haitian diaspora allowed to vote, AFP (2011)

Haitian legislators have approved ammendments to the 1987 constitution to recognize multiple citizenship for Haitians living abroad. This amendment now gives the near four million members of the disapora the right to vote, a major political shift for the Caribbean nation.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Public meetings, live TV/radio consultation on Constitution, TCI Free Press (2011)

The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has scheduled a series of live television and radio call-in programmes, as well five public meetings across the island chain, that will allow the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands to voice their opinions on proposed changes to the country’s Constitution.

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