ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Indonesia hosts Asia Constitutional Courts Conference, Xinhua News (2010).

This article discusses Asia Constitutional Courts Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia in which discussion will also covers general election laws and current issues in the region.

Support surges for Japan's new party, Financial Times (2010)

This article discusses the success of the new and increasingly popular Your Party in Japan. The leader of Your Party's plans to create a 'third force' in the Japanese political arena seems to be successful. As a matter of fact, Your Party won 10 seats in the upper house in the Sunday elections.

Fiji leader threatens to delay 2014 elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article comments the announcement of Fiji's interim Prime Minister about a possible delay in the 2014 elections. Commodore Frank Bainimarama stated that the country is not ready for elections, as Australia and New Zealand constantly interfere with its domestic policies. Early this week, Mr Bainimarama expelled Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji on the same grounds.

Kenya: Use of modern technology will simplify vote tallying, Daily Nation (2010)

This article reports on the possible introduction of a new bill introducing electronic records in elections in Kenya. Last week, the Independent Electoral Commission of Kenya successfully used the Electronic Results Transmission System in a by-election for the first time.

Mexican voters defy drug lords, The Vancouver Sun (2010)

This article discusses the results of the elections in Mexico. Despite intimidations and political killings, the turnout was higher than expected. The opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party won nine of the 12 governorships at stake. According to the article, the system is growing increasingly functional and responsive to popular will.

Tories have nine-point advantage in Canada, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents the latest opinion poll in Canada. The Conservative Party holds a sound majority of possible votes (36%), while the opposition Liberal Party ended up second (27%) followed by the New Democratic Party (20%).

Japan's ruling party faces uphill battle after election defeat, VOA (2010)

This article presents the political situation in Japan after Sunday's elections. As the opposition party takes over the upper house, Prime Minister Naoto Kan will face obstacles in carrying on his reforms.

Kenya: Parties to receive voters' list, The Nation (2010)

This article discusses the Interim Independent Electoral Commission's (IIEC) decision to provide the voters' list to all referendum committees and 47 registered parties in Kenya. Furthermore, the IIEC piloted the electronic voter registration system in 18 constituencies, and it is now considering to use it nationwide. These measures are meant to guarantee transparency and fairness in future elections.

Jordan opposition skeptical over general elections, Arab News (2010)

Jordan’s opposition parties announced that they had not decided yet to take part in the parliamentary elections on 9 Nov due to lack of fairness guarantees in a statement issued at the a meeting by the Higher Coordination Committee of Opposition Parties.

Indonesia: President: RI`s last three elections quite democratic, Antara News (2010).

This article discusses the opening speech of 7th Conference of Asian Constitutional Court Judges by the President of Republic of Indonesia regarding election law and elections in Indonesia.

Thailand: Turnout of 60 per cent expected by Bangkok by-election: EC, The Nation (2010).

This article discusses 60% turnout expectation for July 25 by-election for Bangkok Constituency 6.

South Korea: By-election campaigns start, Korea Times (2010)

This article reports on the campaign for the July 28 National Assembly by-elections in South Korea. It will be a very important election for the government: on the June 2 local elections the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) had significant losses. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) aims at winning 5 of the 8 districts/seats.

South Korea: Lee's confidant elected ruling party leader, The Korea Times

This article reports on the election of Ahn Sang-soo as leader of the ruling Grand National Party. Ahn Sang-soo, close confident of President Lee Myung-bak, will lead the party for the next two years. After the defeat in the June 2 local polls, the Grand National Party looks forward to the 2012 National Assembly elections.

Solomon Islands:Election Observers Invited to Submit Applications, Solomon Times Online (2010)

The Electoral Commission has invited both local and international organizations to apply for accreditation for their observers. The Chief Electoral Officer said that observers are important for the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

Solomon Islands:National elections cost $24 Million , The Solomon Star (2010)

The Chief Electoral Officer said that the government has so far fulfilled its financial commitment to the national elections which will cost twenty-four million dollars.

Presidential Adviser Expects Ivory Coast Election Date Soon , VOA (2010)

The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) announced that they will release a provisional voter register on Thursday and an adviser to President Laurent Ggbago has said that an election date will soon be announced, but warned that there are still many other obstacles to actually executing the election.

US Democrats Bracing For Election Setbacks, VOA (2010)

Despite poor ranking in opinion polls democrats are hoping that economic recovery will help them retain their majority in Congress through the upcoming elections.

Trinidad and Tobago: Kamla: Public consultations to have set date for elections, Trinidad Express (2010)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will hold public consultations for constitutionally guaranteed dates for local elections.

Australia calls Fiji regime threat of abandoning 2014 elections a ruse, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article comments the reaction of the Australian Foreign Minister to the announcement of a possible delay in the 2014 elections in Fiji. As a matter of fact, early this week the interim Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama declared that the 2014 elections could be delayed.

“Estonian Centre Party has best chances to win the elections” (Estonian Free Press, 2010)

Evelyn Sepp, member of the Riigikogu and of the Centre Party, discussed the Estonian political situation sharing her views on the next elections and the Euro.