ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

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Switzerland: Zurich votes to keep assisted suicide, BBC (2011)

Citizens of Zurich recently held a referendum on whether to alter existing laws pertaining to "assisted suicide." An overwhelming majority of voters were in favor of keeping the laws as they are now, where passive assistance to someone looking to choose to end their own life is legally permissible. Despite a growing number of foreigners coming to take advantage of this law, the vote shows that the Swiss believe in an individual's right to decide the timing and method of their death.

New Zealand: Voters urged to enrol for by-election, NZHerald (2011)

Voters in Te Tai Tokerau region of New Zealand are being encouraged to register in order to be able to vote in a by-election that was sparked as a result of Hone Harawira quitting the Maori party and re-running under the newly founded Mana party. Voters who enroll correctly will "receive a voting information pack in the mail a week before the by-election."

Thailand: Reds want to observe elections, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports that the United front for Democracy, better known as the red-shirt group, has sent the request to observe the July 3 election to the EC. If allowed, they will observe at 90,000 poll units in the country.

Thailand: EC opens 1171 hotline, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports that the Thai EC has officially opened a hotline centre, telephone 1171, where people can get information about the July 3 polls or give information about vote buying or other violations of the electoral law.

Thailand: EC prints extra ballot papers, Bangkok Post (2011)

This article reports that the EC has prepared extra ballot papers than the number of eligible voters for the July 3 election. The EC Commissioner explained that the decision was taken to cater to advance voting, which will be held on June 26 2011.

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Haiti officials reverse some legislative races challenged by foreign observers, Washington Post (2011)

In light of international concern over fraudulent activity in the recent Haitian election, the electoral results of fifteen out of nineteen legislative seats were overturned in Haiti. The votes were re-tallied after the US and other international partners pressured the government to explain the wide variance between preliminary tallies and the official count released just a few weeks later.

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Botswana: Opposition says people must elect mayors, council chairmen, Mmegi (2011)

The opposition party in Botswana is unhappy with the currect electoral system. It is reported that the Botswana National Front wants a system in which people will elect the mayor rather than councillors.

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Jamaica: PNP shuffles team - Phillips returns, Waite out, Jamaica Observer (2011)

Jamaica's Opposition People's National Party has announced a reshuffling of its shadow cabinet, ahead of the general elections constitutionally due in 2012.

Trinidad Police Arrest 5 In Alleged Election Plot, CBS News (2010)

The Police in Port Spain is investigating an alleged plot to disrupt the Elections. Five people were arrested and seized an assault rifle in a raid that also turned up T-shirts for a radical Islamic party.

India: Congress forced to oppose Trinamool, says Buddhadeb, The Hindu (2010)

Chief Minister said on Sunday 15May that the Congress was forced to oppose the Trinamool Congress at many places in the coming municipal elections in West Bengal as the latter was a violent political party without any agenda or sense of purpose.

Ireland: FG pile by-election pressure on Cowen, The Irish Independent (2010)

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has revealed that his party would force the Government to vote on the issue of the Waterford by-election in the Dail next week.

USA: Voter disenchantment shakes up Republican primaries, BBC (2010)

Voters in the US are preparing for the polls in several US states next Tuesday 18 May, in a round of primary elections considered as crucial tests for the future direction of both the Democratic and Republican parties, ahead of Congressional mid-term elections in November.

Botswana walks the way of British electoral crisis, Mmegi (2010)

Together they form part of a not so large phalanx of BDP supporters who, nevertheless, were soon to overwhelm the opposition in the first general election, to have a preparatory year of hands on experience of government under British tutelage and were then to take flight with the achievement of Independence in September 1966.

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Botswana: BMD constitution limits president's powers, Mmegi (2010)

The constitution of the newly formed Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) differs from that of the Botswana Democracy Party (BDP) in fundamental ways. After all it is the way the BDP constitution has been interpreted by those at the top that has led to the ruling party's split in the first place.

Botswana: BNF central committee accused of election ruse, Mmegi (2010)

The central committee of the Botswana National Front has been accused of using underhand tactics to ensure its preferred candidates win the BNF youth league elections this weekend.