ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Uruguay:José Mujica Victorious in Uruguay's Roundoff Election, Americas Society (2009)

Article that describes the last win on the second round in the Presidential Election in Uruguay.

Tanzania:Next General election to gobble up Sh130bn, The Citizen (2009)

Addressing the Editors Forum organized by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the NEC Director, Mr Rajab Kiravu said that the number of eligible voters would increase from over 15.9 million in 2005 to 21 million in 2010. "The costs are high because we're expecting to have 55,000 polling stations, each with not more than 400 voters and each station will be manned by 4 officers", he explained.

Ethiopia: Prominent political figures join UDJ, The Reporter (2009)

During a press briefing at Ghion Hotel Dr. Negasso said, “Today, November 26, I stand here before you with great courage, great pride and great happiness to announce officially that as an Ethiopian whose rights are enshrined in the Constitution I have decided to become a member of the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party.” “In the past few years I have come to understand two things. One is the love and admiration various sections of the society and the country’s nations and nationalities have expressed for me. For me, this love and admiration is a big asset and resource. The second is the realization that a message is being conveyed through this love and admiration namely that it is their wish that I serve the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia equally without discrimination. It is my belief that my decision affirms that I have heard and heed the message of the people,” Dr. Negasso said.

Uganda: Electoral Commission Members Sworn in on 17th November 2009, EC (2009)

Six members of the Electoral Commission have been sworn in by the Deputy Chief Justice, Lady Leticia Kikonyogo to serve a seven year term. They include Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu (Chairman), Joseph Biribonwa (Deputy Chairman), Tom W. Buruku (Member), Dr. Jenny B. Okello (Member), Steven Ongaria (Member) and a new member, Justine Mugabi (Member). The seventh commissioner, Amb. Dr. Tomasi Sisye Kiryapawo (appointed in 2006) is still serving his first term.

Philippines: Massacre highlights need for early ARMM voting, Abs-cbn News (2009).

This article deals with statement which underscored the need to conduct early voting in hotly contested areas, particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Philippines: Filing of candidacies ends, Manila Bulletin (2009).

This article deals with the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) for national positions for the May 10, 2010 elections.

Thailand: Abhisit: Early election not ruled out, Bangkok Post (2009).

This article deals with statement that said early elections is possible within the next two years.

Myanmar: Asian Lawmakers Want Regional Powers To End Sufferings In Myanmar, Bernama (2009).

This article deals with a group of Asian lawmakers who wants Asean and India to play a constructive role to restore democracy in Myanmar.

Indonesia: Regional head elections to go on in 2010, Antara News (2009).

This article deals with Home Affairs Ministry officials who said regional head elections (Pilkada) in various parts of Indonesia in 2010 would go on based on schedules.

Thailand: PM wants charter fix before election, Bangkok Post (2009).

This article deals with Thai government’s plans to call an election after amendments to the constitution are passed by parliament.

Thailand: A Quiet Thailand Sees Security Act Dropped, The Jakarta Globe (2009).

This article deals with Thailand’s government who withdrew Internal Security Act to reduce protests by the “Red Shirt” movement who calls out for fresh elections.

India troops die in Maoist blasts, BBC News (2009)

As the second phase of voting for a new assembly begins in the Jharkhand state, Maoist rebels have already killed at least 3 Indian soldiers, and injured several people. This is despite the fact that nearly 40, 000 security forces have been deployed to maintain peace during the elections as 60% of the 4, 300 polling stations have been designated as being in high risk areas.

Jordan: Ministerial panel to revisit elections law, The Jordan Times (2009)

In the wake of King Abdullah's decision to dissolve the Parliament, Prime Minister Dahabi established a ministerial committee consisting of ministers of interior, media affairs and communications, legal affairs, parliamentary affairs and political development, that is tasked with amending the electoral law.

Guinea Conakry: January 31 election promise "impossible to keep", AFP (2009)

The chairman of the Guinea Conakry electoral commission's concerns on the electoral process echo those of many observers who believe that technically the planned presidential elections in Guinea Conakry (January 31, 2009) will not be able to take place because of a general state of unpreparedness.

Kenya MPs shun debate on tribunal bill, Daily Nation (2009)

Debate on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2009, initiated by Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara has suffered persistent interruption due to lack of quorum and has been characterised by poor debate with only a few members contributing. On two occasions, debate was interrupted and put off due to lack of quorum.

Romanian Court of Appeals overturns Nica's dismissal (SETimes.com, 2009)

Decision of the Court of Appeals on the dismissal (about 2 months ago) of Dan Nica, former minister of interior.

Romania election protests (Suomen Kuvalehti, 2009)

Hundreds of Romanians protested a newly formed political alliance in Timisoara by tearing a poster of Social Democracy party presidential candidate Mircea Geoana.

Romania's president faces poll defeat over 'child-slapping' video (Roumanie.com, 2009)

The chances of Romania's president winning a second term in office have been dealt a mortal blow by the release of a video apparently showing him hitting a ten-year-old boy.

Geoana Could Win Romanian Run-Off (Angus Reid, 2009)

Short overview on what had happened during the last months in Romania and a polling data by the National Institute for Public Opinion Studies and Marketing.

Romania: Press review - December 2 (Roumanie.com, 2009)

Romania's national dailies of Wednesday give wide coverage to December 1, Romania's National Day, celebrations; the Social Democratic Party + Conservative Party (PSD+PC) Alliance, the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Christian Democratic National Peasant Party (PNTCD) signing a cooperation pact in Timisoara; the two candidates in the presidential run-off of December 6 trading barbs; spontaneous rallies and counter-rallies in Timisoara, Bucharest and Brasov; the latest economic projections of analysts and the National Bank of Romania (BNR).