ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Egyptian Expats Can Vote, All Africa (2011)

In this news article; the administrative court ruled on 25 Oct 2011 to obligate the government to establish voting booths in the Egyptian embassies abroad in order to enable Egyptians living abroad of practicing their right to vote in the coming parliamentary elections. The law suits were based on article "7" of the Constitutional declaration, which stipulates that all citizens are equal before the law and equal in rights and duties.

Lebanon: Electoral districts and PR voting at the forefront, The Daily Star (2011)

This news article says that voting in Lebanon can be a tricky business, and with the release this month of the draft election law, things are about to get a lot more complicated. Among the reforms proposed in the legislation is the adoption of PR – or proportional representation – voting. While most pro-democracy campaigners largely view this as a good thing, most voters might struggle to explain exactly why that is the case.

Syria holds elections as opposition boycotts, China Daily (2012)

This news article says Syrians cast ballots on Monday 7 May in parliamentary elections billed by the government as key to President Bashar al-Assad's political reforms, but the opposition dismissed the vote as a sham meant to preserve his rule. Polls opened at 7 am, and Syrian state TV showed voters lining up and dropping white ballots in large, plastic boxes. There are 7,195 candidates in the election competing for 250 seats in the new parliament.

Egypt election committee halts work after criticism, Reuters (2012)

Egypt's presidential elections committee said it would stop its work in preparation for presidential elections due later this month after what it said was an insult to the committee by members of parliament during its session on Monday 7 May. The committee said in a statement it would not meet on Tuesday 8 May as planned with presidential candidates and media figures pending "suitable conditions for the meeting."

Serbian Socialist leader eyes premiership, EurActiv (2012)

Either in coalition with the pro-European Democratic Party of outgoing President Boris Tadić or with the Progressive Party of former ultranationalist Tomislav Nikolić, Socialist leader Ivica Dačić sees himself as the country's next prime minister. EurActiv Serbia reports.

Serbia: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions, OSCE (2012)

INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION Republic of Serbia — Parliamentary and Early Presidential Elections, 6 May 2012 STATEMENT OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

OSCE Mission in Kosovo reports orderly completion of voting, OSCE (2012)

All OSCE-run polling stations in Kosovo closed today after the orderly completion of voting, according to the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer. The reported provisional turnout was 32.17 per cent.

Libya leader says government to stay put until elections, Reuters (2012)

This news article says Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) decided on Sunday 30 April, to keep the interim government in power in the run up to a June election, its leader said, quashing rumors of a reshuffle that has sowed uncertainty in the strife-torn state.

India: Booth-level monitoring for by-elections, The Hindu (2012)

In this news; the independent election monitoring group – Ennikala Nigha Vedika – plans to form booth-level groups to monitor the forthcoming by-elections to 18 Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat.

Moussa Leads in Poll as Egypt Election Campaigning Begins, Bloomberg Business Week (2012)

This news says campaigning for Egypt’s first presidential election since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster began as the ruling generals were poised to announce governmental changes and the constitution-writing process faced further obstacles.

Tunisia Moves to the Next Stage, MERIP (2011)

This article is about analyzing the Tunisian Elections

Accusations of ballot abuse flare up as Egyptians vote in 2nd round of parliamentary elections,

This news article says that Islamists and liberals accused election officials Thursday of filling out ballot forms for elderly or confused voters at some polling stations during the second round of parliamentary elections. If confirmed as a pattern, the reports could chip away at the credibility of what has so far been the freest and fairest vote in Egypt’s modern history.

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Nevisians take to the streets of Charlestown in Election protest

Some 1,500 supporters of the Concerned Citizens Movement took to the streets a day after losing at the polls in protest of what they claimed to be a rigged election. The Party lost to the Nevis Reformation Party who has been re-elected for a second term, in the elections held on July 11.

Sri Lanka: Tamils voting in large numbers could tilt the balance, Hindustan Times (2010)

This article points out the importance of the Tamil vote in the upcoming presidential elections, where the two presidential candidates are expected to split the majority Sinhalese population vote right through the middle and what may then decide is the 12-13% Tamil community in the 14 million electorate. The Tamil parties seem to be divided though with the Tamil National Alliance and Democratic People's Front supporting Fonseka while Eelam People's Democratic Party and the People's Liberation Organisation for Tamil Eelam supporting Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka opposition accuses President Rajapaksa of plotting coup, Times Online (2010)

Citing troop movements and plans to block results, the opposition leaders supporting General Fonseka accused President Rajapaksa of planning to stage a coup if he doesn't win the fiercely contested election. The General stated that the Government moved 15 armoured personnel carriers to Colombo and recalled senior army officers considered disloyal. The President's office denies all allegations.

Afghanistan postpones parliamentary election by 4 months, The New York Times (2010)

The Independent Election Commission announced postponement of the parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for May 2010, to September 18, 2010. The cited reasons for this decision are lack of money, logistical challenges and the continuing violence. The postponement was welcomed by international organizations and Western governments, who have been urging Afghanistan to delay the elections until electoral reforms are adopted.

Bickering halts Zim new constitution, IOL (2010)

Zimbabwe has suspended moves to draw up a new constitution due to political bickering over funding, dealing a blow to hopes for free and fair elections next year after the intended adoption of the charter.

AU to offer new Madagascar compromise, Mail and Guardian (2010)

The African Union's top diplomat will present Madagascar's bickering power-brokers with a fresh political compromise aimed at ending a year-long crisis.

Sólyom sets elections for April 11, 25 (Politics.hu, 2010)

The two rounds of the parliamentary elections will be held on April 11 and 25, President László Sólyom announced on Friday, thereby kicking off the election campaign.