ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Election reform in the United Kingdom, Foreign Policy Journal (2010)

This article discusses the possibility of an election reform in the UK. In the Conservative/Liberal agreement for the coalition government, the two parties established to hold a referendum on a new electoral system next year. In particular, the Liberal Party would like to introduce the Alternative Vote electoral system. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of such a system.

UK: London Assembly investigates election day polling, BBC News (2010)

This article report on the London Assembly's investigation on how the voting operations were managed on election day. As a matter of fact, many Londoners were not able to vote because of overcrowding in the polling stations. Furthermore, the Assembly will also look into the Metropolitan Police investigation on allegations of postal vote fraud and electoral irregularities.

UK:London Assembly investigates election day polling, BBC (2010)

The London Assembly will investigate after reported problems in council elections in May. They are also investigating the general election as many people were turned away due unexpected voter turnout.

Britain to vote next year on electoral reform, The Telegraph (2010)

This article discusses the decision to hold a referendum on May 5 to modify the electoral in the United Kingdom. This referendum, a part of the Coalition agreement, would change the first-past-the-post system to favor small parties representation. A formal announcement is expected for next week.

UK: Vote change ballot set to clash with assembly elections, BBC News (2010)

This article discusses issues related to the call for a referendum on the electoral law in the UK. As a matter of fact, the referendum would clash with the May 5 assembly elections in Welsh. Deputy PM Nick Clegg is now expected to announce the final date for the 'Alternative Vote' referendum.

UK:Referendum/poll clash criticised, BBC News (2010)

Plans to hold the referendum on electoral reform on May 5 have been criticized as it would conflict with polls in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has argued that holding it on the same day will increase turnout and save money.

UK: No. 2 Leader Unveils Plan to Overhaul British Politics, The New York Times (2010)

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has put forward his proposal for electoral reform. The proposed changes include implementing the alternative vote system. The referendum on electoral reform was part of the bargain to form the coalition government between the Liberal Democrats the Conservatives.

UK: Clegg's U-turn on plan that would let 'zombie' government limp on, The Daily Mail (2010)

This article discusses some of the changes made by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to his original plans for electoral reform. Among the changes Clegg has dropped a proposal that would require 55% to vote to dissolve parliament.

UK: Ofcom rejects complaints over Sky News election coverage, The Guardian (2010)

Ofcom has rejected complaints against Sky News filed in response to some of their election coverage. The channel received nearly 2800 complaints due to some Adam Boulton and Kay Burley's election programmes.

UK:Holyrood to be given power to move date of election, Herald Scotland (2010)

The Scottish Secretary is considering giving more power to Holyrood to allow them to change the date of election by up to several months. This is in response to a possible clash of elections with Westminster in 2015.

UK:Voting referendum: Sides mobilise over electoral reform, BBC News (2010)

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has put forward the plan for electoral reform and the issue will be decided in a referendum scheduled for May 5. Both those for and against the reforms are preparing for their respective campaigns.

UK:Historic case is set to challenge election result, Manchester Evening News (2010)

A defeated candidate has brought a historical case against Labour campaigners, alleging that they made false claims about him during the campaign. If he is successful it could mean a new election for the seat.

UK: Tory MP under fire for ‘electoral breach’, The Herald Scotland (2010)

Tory MP David Mundell is being investigated for a breach of electoral law. Labour have called on Mundell, who is responsible for election conduct to step down during the investigation.

UK:Clegg and Cameron reject poll date fears, The Scotland Herald (2010)

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg have rejected claims that holding the referendum on electoral reform on the same day as other polls in Scotland, Wales and North Ireland would have negative effects and cause confusion. The PM's spokesperson insisted that it would would cut costs substantially.

UK:'Step aside' call over David Mundell election spending, BBC News (2010)

The Scotland Officer David Mundell is facing a possible inquiry over election spending. Some are insisting that he step aside during the investigation as he is the minister responsible for the good conduct of elections in Scotland.

UK:How 2010 WAS the social media general election, Press Gazette (2010)

A study by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism suggested that most 18-24 year-olds received their political information online and that an online campaign by the Electoral Commission to increase voter registration was effective.

UK:AV would have given Liberal Democrats real choice of coalition partner, The Guardian (2010)

A study conducted by Essex University suggests that if the Alternative Vote system was used in the last election the Liberal Democrats would have gained more seats and greater power in forming a coalition. Deputy PM will answer questions about the proposed electoral reforms ahead of a referendum on the issue.

UK:Clegg rejects criticism over voting reform referendum, BBC News (2010)

Deputy PM has rejected claims that holding the referendum on electoral reform on the same day as votes in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland would cause confusion or skew results.

UK: Tory backbenchers oppose election delay proposals, The Independent (2010)

Tory backbenchers oppose part of the proposed electoral reform that would allow for a 14-day period to form a new administration in response to a lost confidence vote. The opponents of the measure say it will reduce the powers of the Queen.

UK:Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith facing questions over election expenses, The Guardian (2010)

An investigation has questioned whether Tory MP Zac Goldsmith did in fact stay within the legal limits for campaign spending. The candidate reduced some costs by declaring the number of items he used rather than those that he purchased.