ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Indonesia: Govt Wants Polling Bodies Free of Politicians, Jakarta Globe (2011)

This article reports on the meeting between the House Commission II, overseeing home affairs, with the Home Affair Minister and Justice and Human Rights Minister on the revision of the Election Organizers Law. The two ministers stated that the electoral organizer should be free from any political influence and called for political party members to be banned from polling bodies.

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Isle of Man: September date announced for Manx general election, BBC News (2011)

The article presents that the Isle of Man general elections will be held in September 2011.

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New Nepal PM fails to name cabinet, The Times of India (2011)

The article discusses the deadlock in Nepal politics after the communist leader Jhala Nath Khanal was elected as PM. There are doubts that Khanal has mabe a secret pact with the main opposition party Maoists before the PM election. In the light of these events it is unlikely that the new PM will success to draft a new constitution which was to be the main issue in the election.

Pakistan: Probe into Shangla by-polls urged, The News International (2011)

The article discusses the accusations that women were deprived of their voting rights in by-polls held in Shangla, Nepal. This comes out in a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan written by the Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WCP).

Bhutan: In praise of Indian EVM, Election Commission of Bhutan

This document has been drafted and released by the Election Commission of Bhutan. The paper outlines the advantages of the Indian model of the Electronic Voting Machines, and clearly explains their functions.

Maldives: Pre-election Statement, Local Elections, Transparency International (2011)

This statement was released by Transparency International. TI coordinated a nation-wide domestic election observation of the 2011 Local Council Election, which involved 105 observers in 41 islands over all seven provinces. The observers expressed their concern on the general environment of mistrust between the election administration, the government, political parties, candidates and the media, which translates into a lack of trust towards the electoral system itself.

UN calls for tackling alleged irregularities in Central African Republic election, UN News Centre (2011)

This article reports on the United Nation's request for more investigations into the disputed presidential election in the Central African Republic. Last week, the Independent Electoral Commission announced the re-election of President Francois Bozize, but left opposition candidates in an uproar over fraud. The UN asked the country's electoral officials to address the alleged irregularities and intimidations, and encouraged the other opposition candidates to follow the necessary legal procedures to present appeals.

Experts fret over Haiti's runoff election, UPI (2011)

This article discusses the main challenges ahead of the presidential runoff in Haiti. One challenge, for example, will be to guarantee a broader participation, especially from the citizens still displaced around the country: on November 28 only 28% of the people voted. The Organization of American State announced its decision to deploy more observers for the March 20 runoff (from the current 120 to 200).

Iceland’s Supreme Court nullifies Constitutional Convention election, The Huffington Post (2011)

This article reports on the ruling of the Supreme Court of Iceland regarding the November election of the Constitutional Convention. On January 25, the Supreme Court of Iceland invalidated the November election arguing that it was marred by malpractices and technical issues. The Court argues, for example, that the secrecy of the vote was violated by the serial numbers on the ballot papers and the use of nontraditional ballot boxes.

Armenian Opposition Bloc To Resume Protest Rallies, RFE/Rl (2011)

The article informs that opposition Armenian National Congress and the owner of ALM TV channel (which was shut down recently) are planning to restart protest rallies in Yerevan in the second half February.

South Africa: Next voter registration date announced, SABCNews (2011)

The article reports on the second registration date set by the South African Indepent Electoral Commission. It is reported that the next registration weekend will be in March 5 and 6, 2011.

Kazakhstan: What is Nazarbayev’s Motive for Early Vote?, EuroasiaNet (2011)

The article offers analyses of the reasons why Kazakhstan's president Nazarbayev appointed early presidential elections in April 2011, about 20 months before the end of his term. The article argues that with elections in April, Nazarbayev will be left without opposition.

South Africa: ANC excited about registration drive, SABCNews (2011)

This article reports on the excitement by the ruling party on the next voter registration weekend. It is reported that the party has also postponed some of it's activities to accomodate two provincial ANC Conferences to be held in the Western Cape and the North West over the weekend.

South Africa: IEC asks Treasury for extra funding, IOL (2011)

This article reports on the request by the IEC to the Treasury to supplement its budget for the upcoming elections. It is reported that section 55 of the Municipal Electoral Amendment Act of 2010 will come to effect.

Kyrgyzstan: omurkulov elected mayor of Bishkek in the next four years, Kloop (2011)

The article reports that Social Democrat Isa Omurkulov was elected the mayor of Bishkek, receiving votes from 39 of 44 councillors in the Bishkek city council. A second candidate refused to participate. Civil rights activists are unhappy that Omurkulov won re-election unopposed.

Taiwan: Scholars, CEC address combining of elections, The China Post (2011)

The article discusses the issue of combining the dates of Taiwan presidential and legislative elections in 2012. Combined poll would cut costs and made voting easier, but the Central Elevtoral Commission and the Ministry of the Interior stated that more study and planning would be needed before any actual implementation could take place.