ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Hungary: Act III of 1998 on National Referendums and Popular Initiatives, last modified on 14 April 2009

Act III of 1998 on National Referendums and Popular Initiatives, last modified on 14 April 2009

Hungary: Act XXXIV of 1989 on the Election of Members of Parliament, last modified on 14 April 2009

Act XXXIV of 1989 on the Election of Members of Parliament, last modified on 14 April 2009

Words of Moldova’s Constitutional Court chair misinterpreted (ITAR-TASS, 2010)

CHISINAU, July 19 (Itar-Tass) - Journalists misinterpreted the statement of Moldova’s Constitutional Court chairman on possible participation of ex-president Vladimir Voronin in the earliest presidential race, a spokesman for the Constitutional Court, Dumitru Tira, said on Monday.

Five more parties register for referendum in Macedonia (FOCUS News Agency, 2010)

Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission has registered five more parties for the referendum on the constitutional amendments on September 5.

Moldova's premier says he will make good president (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat has said he is confident that he could be a competent president.

Turkey's referendum to be" historic turning point" in EU bid: Bagis (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkey's state minister said that an upcoming referendum on a constitutional reform would be "a historic turning point" in the country's EU bid.

EU backs Turkish constitutional reforms, seeks to strengthen cooperation (Deutsche Welle, 2010)

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton held talks in Istanbul on the country's stalled membership bid and Turkey's growing regional diplomatic role. The visit is seen as a first step in a new cooperation with Turkey.

Turkey’s Ruling AKP Trails Behind Republicans (Angus Reid Global Monitor, 2010)

Turkey’s governing party is not the most popular political organization in the country, according to a poll by Sonar Arastirma. 33.5 per cent of respondents would vote for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in the next legislative election, up one point since May.

Turkish opposition leaders call on women to enter politics (Hürriyet Daily News, 2010)

Long left out of the decision-making process, women must now enter politics to change Turkey, according to Republican People’s Party, or CHP, party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Turkish opposition submits army law bill with little changes (World Bulletin, 2010)

Main secularist opposition party in Turkey on Thursday submitted to parliament a bill to amend an army law, backtracking earlier promise to lift.

Referendum voting for Turkish reforms starts at borders (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkish citizens are also able to cast their votes at 25 border gates during their border crossing until 5:00 p.m. on September 12.

Voting for the September 12 referendum began at border gates on Tuesday (National Turk, 2010)

Voting started at 8:00 in the morning at Turkey’s border gate of Kapikule, Ipsala and Hamzabeyli in the northwestern province of Edirne (Video material)

Serbia starts drive to contest Kosovo independence (Reuters Canada, 2010)

Serbia launched a diplomatic offensive on Wednesday to contest Kosovo's independence, asking the United Nations General Assembly to decide about the future of its former southern province.

Hungary: Mayoral candidates must collect more nominations than in last elections (Politics.hu, 2010)

Candidates for mayor of Budapest will need to collect over 28,000 nominations, the Budapest Election Office stated on Monday. The threshold has been raised since the last elections, from 0.5% of eligible voters to 2%. Eligible voters should receive notices for the October 3 local elections and three nomination slips by Thursday.

Hungary: LMP introduces Budapest mayor candidate (Politics.hu, 2010)

The Budapest mayor candidate of the green Politics Can Be Different (LMP) party would introduce a congestion charge for vehicles entering Budapest's city centre, the candidate told a campaign opening press-conference on Friday.

Hungary: Socialists to consider proposal for election cooperation on the left (Politics.hu, 2010)

Hungary's opposition Socialists are ready to consider a proposal for cooperation in the local government election campaign with the green Politics Can Be Different (LMP) and the small Social Democratic MSZDP party, Socialist campaign chief Tibor Szanyi told national daily Magyar Nemzet on Monday.

BiH Constitutional Court says it can't rule on electoral reform (SETimes.com, 2010)

The Constitutional Court said on Monday (August 9th) it cannot rule on a lawsuit filed by representatives of the national minorities who want the October 3rd general elections postponed until parliament amends electoral legislation in line with recommendations by the European Court in Strasbourg

Australia: Teens return Labor to power in Google poll, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the results of a simulated federal election between 9-12 August. Google set up a 'youth election' portal ("Google Student Voice 2010 election) and allowed teenagers to have their say. Julia Gillard won the virtual elections.

Satire banned in Brazil ahead of presidential election, The Telegraph (2010)

This article discusses the Brazilian authorities' decision to forbid comedians and satirists to make fun of presidential candidates in TV until the October elections. This law is a 'relic' of the past dictatorship (1964-1985), but still impose costly fines to the people who do not respect it (up to £72,000). As a response, Brazilian performers are planning a Sunday protest in all the major cities.

Nepal PM poll postponed, The Times of India (2010)

This article reports on the decision to postpone the election of the Prime Minister in Nepal. All major parties decided to defer the fifth round of the election to Sunday. So far, the Parliament failed to give a simple majority to any candidate. Five of largest parties are boycotting the election.