ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

CNN analysis: Majority of eligible Hondurans voted in presidential election, CNN (2009)

"The exact number -- 56.6 percent -- matters because the turnout may reflect how much trust the Hondurans placed into an election that took place under less than perfect circumstances."

Cost of Bulgarian Fall Elections Estimated at BGN 35 M, novinite.com (2011)

The cost of forthcoming Bulgarian presidential and local elections held on 23 October is estimated 35 million BGN. This amount is much higher than the previous calculations were. Several Ministries, the Bulgarian National Television, Bulgarian National Radio and the News Agency are also receiving funding from the budget.

Bulgaria's Electoral Body Starts Accepting Presidential Bids, novinite.com (2011)

Bulgarian Central Election Commission starts accepting registration documents of parties, party coalitions and initiative committees for the presidential election on 5 August. The deadline for the registration is 23 August.

Sri Lanka's opposition coalition splits, The Washington Post (2010)

Sri Lanka's opposition coalition has split after detaining its defeated presidential candidate on allegations of sedition, further strengthening President Mahinda Rajapaksa ahead of April 8 parliamentary polls.

Sri Lanka: Tamil leaders ‘must come and negotiate with me’ after parliamentary elections, The Hindu (2010)

This article is on an interview with Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo, related to 13th Amendment-plus, his presidential election win & Sarath Fonseka’s arrest.

South Korea: One hundred day countdown to regional elections, The Hankyoureh (2010)

The Grand National Property (GNP) says it plans to focus strategy on the economy while the DP is calling for a judgment on the Lee administration’s growing estrangement with the people.

Taiwan: Parties gear up for final push to Feb. 27 legislative by-elections, Taiwan News (2010)

Taiwan's ruling and main opposition parties are working hard to a final push for the four legislative by-elections that will take place on 27 Feb, races that both parties see as must-wins.

Côte d'Ivoire: Ivory Coast 'to announce new government', BBC (2010)

After a week of talks and protests against the dissolution of the Government by President Gbagbo and disputes with opposition, the mediation of President Compaoré of Burkina Faso has paid. A consensus is being discussed and the new government will soon be announced to continue the peace process.

Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso to hold presidential vote November 21, Reuters (2010)

The government of Burkina Faso has officially announced that the country will hold a presidential election on November 21, 2010. These elections will be extremely important given the role played by the country in West Africa.

Turkish Cyprus announces vote timetable, World Bulletin (2010)

The presidential elections will be held in the Turkish Cyprus on 18 April as the TRNC Supreme Electoral Board announced a timetable for the upcoming election. The election process will begin on February 24.

Niger: Army to run Niger until elections, Reuters (2010)

The new military group who took power in Niger afer last week's coup have decided to run the country until politicians and stakeholders agree on a new constitution and conduct an electoral process which will bring about a civilian head of state.

Petition calls for Fiji election this year, Radio New Zealand News (2010)

The leaders of the Fiji Labour, SDL and National Federation parties submitted a list of their members to be included in the petition for the Election in this year.

EU Considers Observing Ethiopia Election as Campaign Heats Up, VOA News (2010)

A European Union exploratory team is visiting Ethiopia to determine whether to send an observer mission to monitor national elections in May.

Dominican Republic: Ex Dominican leader slams the Government’s “faggots,” his party’s “bums”, Dominican Today (2010)

Mejia said in the opposition PRD party’s ticket for the midterm elections “there are very bad people who don’t have the conditions even to be a dog catcher; there are many people who don’t deserve to be a candidate."

Afghan leader asserts control over election body, The New York Times (2010)

Putting into effect a legislative decree that rewrote the election law, President Karzai will now be able to choose the five members of the Election Complaint Commission, after consultation with the Parliament. Three seats were previously appointed by the UN, while the other two were held by Afghans. The Election Complaint Commission reported the election irregularities in previous elections, forcing the run-off. The opposition has widely denounced this law change.

Dutch election June 9, De Jager finance minister, Reuters (2010)

As a result of the fall of the Dutch government, Queen Beatrix ordered an early general election on June 9, 2010. A caretaker government, led by Jan Peter Balkenende will stay in power until the election. The caretaker government will not be able to deal with issues that will be declared controversial.

Foe of Iran government calls for referendum, The New York Times (2010)

Mehdi Karroubi, one of the most prominent opposition leaders, calls for a referendum. Without specifying the precise questions, he said the referendum would be about free elections and limitations of the powers of the Guardian Council. Taken as a symbolic gesture by several analysts, this step is considered as a form of psychological pressure on the Iranian leaders.

Court blocks defeated Sri Lanka candidate's release bid, BBC News (2010)

The defeated presidential candidate General Fonseka is being held in military detention and his immediate release was refused by the Supreme Court. The next hearing is scheduled for April 26. The government intends to put him before a military court. Fonseka has stated that he would like to contest in the upcoming April parliamentary elections, which he may have to do from detention. In the meantime, the coalition that supported him split into several blocks.

Solomon Islands: Electoral body aims for accuracy, Solomon Star (2010)

Data processing officers have been hired by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission as part of the final stage of the voter registration process. The applicants were selected based on a panel interview and practical typing exercise. After the end of the 60 day registration period, a draft voter list will be put out in every ward to begin the revision period. The voters will be encouraged to check the draft list and report on any spotted mistakes.

Zimbabwe's MDC 'may call fresh elections', BBC News (2010)

Fresh elections may be needed in Zimbabwe after political leaders failed to end their deadlock, former opposition party the MDC says.