ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Georgia: ISFED's second statement on local election monitoring (2010)

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presents the second statement on Election Day monitoring for 30 May 2010 nationwide local elections in Georgia. The report was released at 15.00, seven hours after the start of elections.

India: Election commission launches drive for electoral roll photos in Gujarat, Daily News and Analysis (2010)

This article describes the new operation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Gujarat. The ECI officials are going to visit each house in order to complete the ECI photo rolls: a database of pictures from every single voter. 13.6% of the electorate is not on the electoral system yet.

South Korea, a wary eye on the North, goes to polls, Reuters (2010)

This article reports about the upcoming regional elections in South Korea. International affairs, and especially the recent diplomatic accident with North Korea, will play a big role in determining the outcomes.

New era in Trinidad and Tobago politics, Jamaica Observer (2010)

This article analyzes the changes and the ongoing developments in Trinidad and Tobago's politics after last week's elections. Patrick Manning – in charge for 13 of the past 17 years - lost the elections, and Kamla Persad-Bissesar became the first female Prime Minister in the country’s history.

India: Move to get prisoners their voting rights, Times of India (2010)

This article discusses the state government's initiative to allow convicted prisoners and people who are under trial to vote. The state election commission is considering the proposal.

Sri Lanka plans to hold local body elections in North, Daily News and Analysis (2010)

This article discusses Sri Lanka's decision to hold local elections in the Northern region, a longtime combat zone in the country. This region was under the rule of the Tamil Tigers until May 2009.

Best Party wins polls in Iceland's Reykjavik, BBC News (2010)

This article discusses the victory of the "Best" Party in local elections in Reykjavik. The Best Party was founded by a comedian, Jon Gnarr, and it will hold 6 of the 15 seats in the city council. Its broad agenda includes laws to have a drug-free parliament and free towels in all swimming pools.

Iceland: Free towels, polar bear help Best Party win, ABC News (2010)

This article comments the victory of the Best Party in the local election in Reykjavik. Among other things, the Best Party pledges a new Disneyland at the airport and a new polar bear for the city zoo.

Political earthquake shakes up Iceland's local elections, EUobserver (2010)

This article analyzes the reasons behind the electoral victory of the Best Party in Reykjavik. This Party was established six months ago by comedians, musicians and actors, and quickly became the biggest party in the capital. To many observers, people voted this party to protest against traditional political parties and the political system in general.

New Flemish Alliance, Socialists lead in Belgium, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents the latest polls for the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The New Flemish Alliance turned out to be the first party in the country, the Christian Democratic and Flemish the second.

Slovakia: Vote 2010: Smer gets another 'no' (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

THE TESTIMONY of a former senior member about trading state posts in return for cash; a leaked document published by local media purporting to show how some of these deals could have looked in practice; and a definite ‘no’ from an opposition party to an eventual post-election coalition deal.

Polish Ruling Party Tests Coalition Breakup (The Wall Street Journal, 2010)

On Thursday, Poland’s acting president and Civic Platform presidential candidate Bronislaw Komorowski surprised markets and his party’s junior coalition partner by proposing Marek Belka as the candidate for the central bank head. The unexpected (and un-consulted) candidacy is likely to be just the first attempt by ruling party Civic Platform to annoy and antagonize the Peasants’ Party, its agrarian-focused partner in government. It could very well be followed by a series of intra-coalition fights eventually prompting parliamentary election to be held half a year early—in the spring of 2011 instead of the fall of that year.

Hungary's new PM Orban wins parliament backing (Reuters, 2010)

Hungary's new prime minister, Viktor Orban, won parliamentary approval for his centre-right government and programme on Saturday, clearing the way for planned measures to kick-start the ailing economy.

Orbán returns to power as Hungarian prime minister (Politics.hu, 2010)

Parliament elected Viktor Orban, leader of the centre-right Fidesz party, as prime minister of Hungary, and approved the government manifesto with 261 votes for, 107 against and no abstention.

Socialist International calls for transparent elections in Albania (SETimes.com, 2010)

A parliamentary investigation must be conducted in Albania to pave the way for eventual EU integration.

South Korea: Voting still too hard for disabled, Korea Times (2010)

This article reports on the "2010 Local Elections Disabled Alliance" Conference. This advocacy group argues that it is still too difficult for disabled people to reach the polling stations in Korea. According to this Alliance, currently ten percent of the population cannot exercise their right to vote because of their disabilities.

Netherlands: Immigrant vote accounts for ten seats, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the role of immigrants in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The immigrant community accounts for up to ten seats in the parliament, and could be decisive for the left-wing parties.

Netherlands: Balkenende wants broad coalition, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the Dutch Prime Minister's call for a new and broader coalition for the upcoming June 9 elections. The PM, Jan Peter Balkenende, believes that the Christian Democratic party should form a coalition with the conservative party (VVD), the democrats and the GreenLeft.

Solomon Islands: Prime Minister apologizes to Governor General, Solomon Times (2010)

This article reports on the apologies made by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Derek Sikua, to the Governor General. Last week, the Prime Minister announced unofficially the date of the next elections. However, only the Electoral Commission can set the date and inform the Governor General, the only one who has the power to announce it.

Australia poll foreshadows hung parliament, Reuters (2010)

This article highlights the possibility of a "hung" parliament as a result of the upcoming elections in Australia. The latest polls show the fall of Kevin Rudd's government (supported by 51 percent of the voters) and the rise of the Green Party.