ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Tongan womens group says not enough women standing in general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the chair of the Havelu Lotu Village women’s committee, Vika Kaufusi, regarding women's participation in the upcoming elections. According to Mrs Kaufusi, not enough female candidates are running, and women should be active in the parliament just as much as they are active in their villages.

Final Cooks election results due in three days, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in the Cook Islands. The final count has begun, but whole operation will take approximately three days. The country is waiting to know who won the seats in the parliamentary elections, as well as the results of the referendum to reduce the number of members of the parliament.

Final results through for nine Cook Islands seats, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in the Cook Islands. Final results are gradually being released: the electoral authorities have announced the results for nine of the 24 constituencies in the country. The preliminary results gave the Cook Islands 15 seats, the ruling Democratic Party 15 seats, and one seat still uncertain.

Tonga: Final Report, Constitutional and Electoral Commission (2009)

This report was produced by the Tonga Electoral Commission. The paper makes recommendations on the constitutional and legal reforms that have to be made in order to improve the electoral system.

Tonga: Interim Report, Constitutional and Electoral Commission (2009)

This interim report was produced by the Tonga Electoral Commission. The paper adresses the constitutional and legal reforms needed in order to improve the Tonga electoral system.

Germany's coalition wants Wulff as president, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

Angela Merkel presented the presidential candidate for the center-right coalition, Christian Wulff. The president will be elected on June 30 by the federal assembly. In this assembly, the center-right coalition parties hold a sound majority.

Georgia's Ruling Party Wins Local Elections, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that on July 2, Georgia's Central Election Commission released the final results of municipal elections that show President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement won the May 30 poll.

Georgia: Map of Municipal Election Results, Civil.ge (2010)

This link presents the map of results of Georgia's May 30 nationwide local elections, and separately, the map of Tbilisi's mayoral election results.

Kazakh President Won't Sign Draft Law On Special Powers, RFE/RL (2010)

The article informs that Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbaev is not going to sign a controversial draft law that would give him special powers for life. Last month, the country's parliament drafted and quickly passed the bill on "Leader of the Nation" that would allow Nazarbaev to retain nearly all the powers he has as president even if he steps down from office. In his television statement, Nazarbaev referred to Kazakhstan's international obligations as a reason for not approving the draft law.

Burundi’s Opposition Alleges Election Fraud, The Botswana Gazette (2010)

This article discusses the alleged incidents of fraud in the Burundi elections. Opposition candidates have pulled of the presidential election in protest.

Nigeria:Polls administration: Saraki calls for inclusion of professional bodies, The Punch (2011)

This article discusses the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease the use of professional bodies as a source of staff for the 2011 elections in Nigeria.

Czech Republic - Election 2010: Voters punish big parties in landmark election

Coalition negotiations are under way, and the casualties within hours of polls closing May 29 included four party leaders in what is being called a sea change for Czech politics.

Fiji leader claims support to put off 2014 elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

The leader of the Fiji military regime, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, claimed that the people of Fiji are satisfied and pleased with the regime's rule. Accord the Commodore, there is no need to hold elections in 2014.

President's party takes hits in South Korean midterm elections, The Washington Post (2010)

Candidates supporting President Lee Myung-bak, who has worked closely with the Obama administration in responding to the ship's sinking, won six out of 16 races for metropolitan mayor and provincial governor, according to the National Election Commission.

Austerity pledge woos Dutch vote, The Financial Times (2010)

This article presents the most debated issues in the Dutch electoral campaign. Although the government fell because of international affairs (Dutch involvement in Afghanistan), the electoral campaign focuses on domestic issues (mostly the economy).

The Lighter Side of Czech Elections: Voting for Miss Parliament 2010 (The Wall Street Journal, 2010)

The Czech Republic’s general elections last weekend were a very serious affair. There was record turnout of young voters thanks to free beer and Facebook campaigns, the result looks to have created a center-right government with the strongest majority in the country’s history, and a record 44 women were elected into the 200-seat lower house of Parliament.

Comoros election talks fail, News 24 (2010)

Election talks between political parties in Comoros have stalled. Current president President Sambi's mandate expired on May 26, but a date for elections have yet to be set.

Belgium: Flemings know why they're voting, Flanders News (2010)

This article reports on one of the latest surveys to Flemings voters. The majority of the people questioned (82%) knew that in the upcoming elections they were going to vote for the Federal Parliament (and not the regional one).

Waiting for the top-two among 13 in Timor Leste election, The Jakarta Post (2012).

This article discusses the candidates for Timor Leste Presidential Election on March 17. The campaign has began and 13 candidates have registered.

Revote In Mitrovica, Also For Serbs, New Kosova Report (2011)

The Central Election Commission of Kosovo aims to organize the revote for the parliamentary elections in Mitrovica's Northern part as well.