ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

México invita a ciudadanos extranjeros a observar el Proceso Electoral Federal 2011-2012 / Mexico invites foreign visitors to observe the Federal Electoral Process 2011-2012

En 1994 una reforma incorporó en la ley la figura de visitantes extranjeros para regular la presencia de ciudadanos de otros países interesados en conocer el desarrollo de las elecciones mexicanas. Invitamos a los interesados en conocer las etapas y modalidades de las elecciones del 1 de julio próximo. / In 1994, the figure of foreign visitors was incorporated in the law in order to regulate the presence of citizens from other countries who are interested in getting to know the development of the Mexican elections. We invite those foreign visitors interested in getting to know the stages and modalities of the election that will take place on July 1st.

Myanmar: Political Party Bill Goes to Parliament, The Irrawaddy (2011).

This article discusses the submission of proposal to discuss the Bill Amending Political Parties Registration Law. The proposal suggests three changes; to replace the clause titled “Preservation of the Constitution" with "Respect and Obedience of the Constitution”, the removal of clause “anyone convicted by a court of law from joining a political party”, and to amend clause that “each political party must have contested a minimum of three seats in the previous general election” with “that a political party must have contested at least three constituencies in by-elections”.

Philippines: Comelec sets party registration deadline, The Philippine Star (2011).

This article discusses the deadline for party-list groups who want to participate in the 2013 midterm elections to file application. The deadline is set on March 30, 2012.

Philippines: House OKs heavier penalties for poll offenses, GMA News (2011).

This article discusses the approval of bill to impose heavier penalties for election-related offenses. The bill increased the fine for political parties or coalitions and increased the jail term for persons who commit election-related offenses.

Serb Parliament Speaker Says Election May Be Called Before March, Bloomberg Businessweek (2011)

Serbia’s parliamentary speaker said it would be no surprise if national elections are called before March because it is evident that campaigning has already begun. Elections need to be called by 11 March at the latest and held by 11 May but it is possible to be held earlier.

Slovakia:Early elections announced for March 2012, The Slovak Spectator (2011)

Three parties from the former ruling coalition – the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and Most-Híd – have come to an agreement with the biggest parliamentary party, the opposition Smer, led by former PM Robert Fico. This agreement promises that the cabinet will propose a constitutional law to shorten the current election term in Slovakia, with an early election scheduled on March 10, 2012.

Hungary gov't will definitely not stop assisting FX debtors – Lázár, Portfolio.hu (2011)

The ruling alliance of Fidesz and the Christian Democrats (KDNP) plans a new electoral law which provides for 106 individual constituencies and 94 seats from national party lists, Lázár announced in Parliament on Monday. Hungarian citizens without permanent residence in Hungary who are included in the list of voters beyond the borders will be eligible to vote on national lists only.

Report: Poland’s prime minister wants to keep same government through end of year, The Washington Post (2011)

Donald Tusk the old new PM does not want to alter the composition of the government till the end of the Polish EU presidency. On the future direction of a new coalition government Tusk said: “I will not change my way of thinking about politics,” said the centre-right politician.

Protesters in Belarus call for fresh and free elections, Deutsche Welle (2011)

Demonstrators in Belarus are demanding free elections and better living conditions. The protesters (cca 1000) rallied in the center of Minsk where they called on the government to halt price inflation, free political prisoners and hold free elections.

South Africa: More than a million new voters register, SABCNews (2013)

In this article, the IEC claims to have recorded over 1.1 million new voters.

USA: DOP groups launch massive ad blitz, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article reports on the last weeks of the electoral campaign for the midterms in the United States. The Republican Party supporters are launching a $50 million advertising plan for this week only, the biggest spending blitz ever by such groups in a congressional election campaign. American Crossroads, Crossroads GPS, American Action Network and Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity are among of the biggest groups that are supporting the party's candidates.

Green Party seeks voice in Brazil runoff vote, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article reports on the decision of the Green Party to play a role in the upcoming runoff vote in Brazil. The party, led by Marina Silva, surprisingly won 20 million votes in the last elections, but it is not directly competing in the runoff. The party announced that it will present a 10-point policy agenda to the two candidates, Dilma Rousseff and Jose Serra, and will then decide who to support.

USA: Obama to college students: Help us in the elections, USA Today (2010)

This article reports on President Obama's appeal to young people. The United States President has launched a series of get-out-the-vote appeals to the youth and to college students in particular. Early in the campaign, many electoral experts pointed to the role of first-time and young voters in the upcoming elections.

Nigeria: 2011: 20 presidential hopefuls emerge, Vanguard (2010)

This article reports on the new candidates for the 2011 presidential race in Nigeria. So far, about 20 aspirants will probably join the race and the number is expected to rise. Among the candidates there is only one woman, Sarah Jubril, who run three times for the same seat since 1993.

Mayor of Lima resigns to run in Peru's presidential elections, Living in Peru (2010)

This article reports on the decision of Lima Mayor Luis Castañeda Lossio to resign for his post. The Mayor decided to run as candidate in the next presidential elections, and the electoral law required his resignation. Luis Castañeda Lossio has been the mayor for eight successful years: he worked on the infrastructures and transportation system, opened the Metropolitan Museum and the Municipal Theater.

Peru election board requests electronic voting for future elections, Living in Peru (2010)

This article reports on the statement of Magdalena Chú, chief of Peru’s National Office for Electoral Processes, about the introduction of electronic voting in the country. Ms Chú stated that the first electronic voting systems could be implemented in the 2011 presidential and congress elections, and it will be a great instrument to overcome the vote-counting delays experienced in last Sunday's elections.

Cooks Democrats move to end party-hopping, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates for the electoral campaign in Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Democratic Party announced that all of its candidates will sign an agreement affirming their loyalty to the party for the full term. Elections are scheduled for next month.

New Zealand: Third man charged in election case, The New Zealand Herald (2010)

This article reports on the arrest of a third person that illegally registered in the electoral roll in the Super City elections. So far, 300 voters have been removed from the roll, and up to 1500 are currently under investigation. After these episodes, Auckland City Mayor John Banks asked the Parliament to look carefully into the postal voting.

Uganda: Voters register not ready yet - Electoral Commission, The Daily Monitor (2010)

This article reports on the voters' registration in Uganda. The Electoral Commission has not yet published the controversial final voter register. In August, the EC announced the registration of 15,002,720 voters, but it turned out that 159,419 had registered more than once. Next week, presidential candidates will be officially nominated.

[···]