ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Philippines: Comelec eyes Internet voting for OAVs, The Philippine Star (2011).

This article discusses the possibility of using Internet voting for overseas absentee voters. The commissioner of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) stated it is possible to use the system however there is security aspect that needs to be addressed.

Parliament gives preliminary approval to amendments to constitution on dates of next presidential and parliamentary elections (Interfax, 2010)

Preliminary approval was given by Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on amendments to the Constitution of the dates of next presidential and parliamentary elections.

Ukrainian Constitutional Court approves 2012 parliamentary polls (RIA Novosti, 2010)

On Friday 19th November the Ukrainian Constitutional Court approved to hold parliamentary elections in October 2012 instead of 2011.

Central Election Commission: Parliament to amend constitution (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Opinion of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine prior to the constitution law amendments on the new proposal regarding election law.

CEC rejects decision to announce start of parliamentary election campaign (nrcu, 2010)

The Central Election Commission of Ukraine denied to start election campaign of parliamentary elections to be held in March 2011.

BYTB Demanding Court Bind CEC Announce Start Of Parliamentary Election Campaign (Ukranian News, 2010)

The Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc - Batkivschyna faction at the Verkhovna Rada is demanding the Kyiv district administrative court rule unlawful inactivity of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) in the announcement of a start of a parliamentary election campaign, MP Viktor Shvets from the BYTB has informed Ukrainian News.

Factbox: Brazil's general elections, Reuters (2010)

This article provides a detailed overview of the Brazilian presidential elections: voting operations and vote counting operations included. About 131 million Brazilians are eligible to vote. The Sunday poll was the first presidential election since the end of military rule in which President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is not a candidate.

Partial Bosnian vote count suggests divided presidency, BBC News (2010)

This article discusses the major issues in the Bosnian elections. According to the constitution, voters can choose five presidents and 700 MPs. Preliminary results (half of the votes have been counted) indicate that Bakir Izetbegovic is leading the race for the Muslim presidency, while Zeljko Komsic will likely win the Croat seat. The two candidates agree on the idea of a future unified Bosnia, while the Serb candidate Nebojsa Radmanovic supports a Bosnian Serb secession.

IFES Deploys Technical Election Assessment Mission to Ukraine, IFES (2010)

This week IFES will be conducting a pre-election assessment in Ukraine in advance of the October 31, 2010 elections. The delegation, led by electoral experts Gavin Weise and Ben Goldsmith, will be reviewing Ukraine’s system of election administration, which largely flows from the adoption of a new local election law this July.

USA: Democrats gain in poll but GOP still leads as midterm elections near, The Washington Post (2010)

This article reports on the latest opinion poll in the United States. According to Washington Post-ABC News poll, the Republican party is still leading the electoral race (49%). Since early September, the Democratic Party gained percentage points (43%), cutting in half the Republicans' advantage, but the midterm elections are approaching.

Afghan officials may order revote in one province, The Washington Post (2010)

This article reports on the possibility of a costly and complicated re-vote in one province, where technical problems have prevented the Independent Election Commission from certifying the final results. In the Ghazni province, Taliban violence intimidate the Pahtun community, the majority of the population, and 11 candidates from the Hazara minority won the seats. The Commission is still undecided on whther or not to schedule new elections.

Afghanistan elections thrown into turmoil after illegality claim, The Telegraph (2010)

This article reports on the protests that followed the announcement of the final results of the September parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. Main highways were blocked by angry supporters of failed candidates.

Ire at Afghan poll results, Al Jazeera (2010)

This video, released by Al Jazeera, analyzes the current situation in Afghanistan and reports on the aftermath of the announcement of the final results of the September parliamentary elections.

Tongans vote in historic polls, Al Jazeera (2010)

This video reports on the historic election in Tonga. The Election Day is seen as a key test of the country's democracy and return to peace.

Polls in Tonga open for historic general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voting operations in Tonga. For the first time, voters in the country will be able to elect the majority of the members of parliament (17 out of 26), while 33 noble families will choose nine representatives.

Tongans ready to vote under 'ordinary peoples' constitution, The New Zealand Herald (2010)

This article reports on the Election Day in Tonga. For the first time the representatives of "ordinary people" will outnumber the representatives from the noble families. The people will be able to elect 17 MPs for the first time, compared to the 9 MPs in the past. Furthermore, the new Prime Minister will not be appointed by the King, like in the past, but the parliament will elect him/her. Australia and New Zealand sent election observers to monitor the polls.

Election Supplier Directory

The IFES Buyer's Guide to Election Suppliers is an industry-specific directory offering information about companies selling voting equipment and electoral supplies used in public and private elections.

Tunisia: Election feat sets high bar for Arab Spring nations lacking its rigor and enthusiasm

this news article says, in just five months, an independent Tunisian commission organized the first free elections in this North African nation’s history. The ballot attracted 80 parties offering candidates, drew a massive turnout by impassioned voters and was effusively praised by international observers.

Libya: After liberation, elections and security top priorities – UN official, UN News Centre (2011)

This news article from the UN News Centre says that the United Nations remains committed to supporting Libyans as they build a new framework for their country, a top UN official said today (26 October), stressing that transitional authorities should act swiftly to respond to the North African nation's most pressing needs, such as organizing an electoral process and establishing public security. The NTC has 30 days to establish an interim government, 90 days to adopt electoral legislation and set up an electoral body, and 240 days to hold elections for national congress.

South Africa: Party organises political classes, IOL (2011)

The ANC in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province has agreed that all its councillors must attend compulsory political classes. This is aimed at bolstering the quality of leadership and performance at local level.