ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Haitians prepare for elections, CBC News (2010)

This article reports on the preparation for the Sunday general elections in Haiti. Despite calls to delay the election because of the cholera epidemic, preparations are moving on. According to some experts, the kind of movement and congregating on Election Day will not increase the risk of cholera transmission.

Sudan: Strong Start to Registration But Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Broad Participation, Carter Centre (2010)

This statement on Sudan's referendum has been issued on 24 Nov 2010, to welcome the opening of voter registration, and at the same time, it urges the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC), to deliver additional materials to the referendum centers , where high demand is rapidly depleting supplies. In addition, the SSRC should urgently release regulations concerning the media and campaigning, the exhibition and objections period, and polling and tabulation of results.

As Haiti prepares for election, violence brings fears of renewed hardship, Fox News (2010)

This article reports on the situation in Haiti as elections are approaching. Recent riots raised concerns about a return to the political chaos which has hit the country in the past. Sunday's election are one of the most important in decades, as the president and parliament will have to face huge challenges to rebuild the country. Several international observers will monitor the poll.

Haiti election: Voters share their views, BBC News (2010)

This article presents a series of interviews to citizens in Haiti regarding the upcoming elections. The BBC interviewed a journalist, a doctor, a businessman and an housewife to understand the people's view on the preparations and the possible outcomes of the elections.

Arrests in Afghan poll fraud probe, Al Jazeera (2010)

This article reports on the arrest of a few people as part of an investigation on electoral fraud in the September parliamentary vote. The Afghan attorney general announced the arrests, adding that two of them were employees of Independent Election Commission. Prosecutors are also investigating five cases of election bribery.

Afghan election results stir up new controversy, NPR (2010)

This article reports on the reactions to the announcement of the final results of the Afghan parliamentary elections. Some analysts believe that the widespread fraud eroded many Afghans' faith in democracy.The independent Afghanistan Analysts Network stated that these elections were probably the worst in the country's history.

Slovakia: Municipal Election Campaign Officially Starts on Wednesday (Radio Slovakia International, 2010)

On municipal electoral campaign started on the 10th November 2010.

SaS nominees are not patrons, but founding members, says Sulík (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

On money donation for one of the leading parties of Slovakia.

Ivory Coast's election threatens to inflame political tensions, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on the runoff presidential election in Ivory Coast. The election, scheduled for November 28, threatened to set off political tensions in the country. In the first round on October 31, president Laurent Gbagbo received 38% of the vote, while former prime minister Alassane Ouattara received 32%. Many observers believe that neither of them is willing to accept a defeat. The Carter Center's observation mission urged candidates to halt "personal attacks made in a threatening tone".

Lech Walesa thanks Slovakia’s VPN for its struggle for democracy (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

Commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in former Czechoslovakia.

Slovakia - VOTE: Municipal election campaign ends (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

November 24 was the last official day for campaigning before Slovakia’s municipal elections.

Bloodshed mars Ivory Coast vote, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the political environment in Ivory Coast as runoff presidential elections are approaching. The two candidates, president Laurent Gbagbo and former prime minister Alassane Ouattara, hardened their tone in recent days. Religious leaders, the United Nations mission and the European Union have urged calm ahead of the decisive vote.

Ivorian presidential candidates face off in unprecedented debate, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the unprecedented live debate between the two candidates in the upcoming presidential runoff election. The debate between president Laurent Gbagbo and challenger Alassane Ouattara will be televised across the country.

EU slams Ivorian poll commission for "obstruction", Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the accusations of the European Union electoral observation mission against the election commission in Ivory Coast. The mission will observe the Sunday's runoff election on Sunday, and accused the commission of "unacceptable obstruction", arguing that the observers continues to face significant obstacles accessing electoral operations. The first round on October 31, the observers were excluded from the counting.

Extra UN troops for Ivory Coast runoff vote, The Gulf Times (2010)

This article reports on the UN Security Council's decision to send 500 peace-keepers to guarantee more support to the mission already deployed in Ivory Coast. There are 8,500 international troops and police in the country, but the UN expressed concern at the recent episodes of election-related violence and decided to support the local authorities during the runoff presidential election on Sunday.

No clear winner in Tonga's first election, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in Tonga. According to the initial statements, Tonga's first election for a popularly elected government produced a high turnout but no clear winner. 89% of the 42,000 registered voters cast their ballots. Although the Friendly Islands Democratic Party dominated the electoral campaign and opinion polls, it might not win the majority to form a government.

Cook Islands referendum on reducing seats in Parliament evenly split, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the ongoing vote counting for the referendum in the Cook Islands. The referendum on the reduction of the number of MPs showed a split electorate: voters from the outer islands did not support this proposition, while voters in Rarotonga did. The referendum is not binding.

Singapore: GE: Think carefully, calmly before voting, says PM Lee, Channel News Asia (2011)

This article discusses the Singapore PM’s statement with regards to voter’s behavior in the upcoming election. He encouraged the voters to think carefully about the long term future for Singapore before they vote, and not view election as an “overly dramatic” activity. There were recent changes to the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Acts to pave the way for a Cooling off Day in the upcoming General Election.

Thailand: Suthep: Election a certainty, Bangkok Times (2011)

This article reports that Thai Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban stressed to the people that an election is definitely taking place this year, despite the rumors stating otherwise. He informed that the Internal Security Act will be upheld until election day.

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