ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

St Kitts ruling party wins in early elections, The Washington Post (2010)

Claiming 6 out of the 8 St Kitts seats, the ruling Labor Party won the fourth consecutive term in the recent legislative elections. The opposition People's Action Movement won two seats, which is one more than in last elections. In Nevis, Concerned Citizens Movement kept its 2 seats, while the Nevis Reformation Party held to 1.

St Kitts opposition challenging election defeat, Jamaica Observer (2010)

The main opposition party, People's Action Movement (PAM) indicated its intention to challenge the results of the general elections, in which the ruling Labor Party won its fourth consecutive term. PAM claims that the polls in 3 constituencies in particular were flawed. The election petitions will be filed before the 21-day deadline.

Liberia's President Sirleaf announces she will seek a second term in 2011, VOA News (2010)

Despite promises during her first campaign that she will only limit herself to one term, President Sirleaf has announced that she will run for the second term as president of Liberia in next year's elections. Her success in governing the country has been cited as the reason for her decision to seek re-election. The opposition Liberty Party has criticized President's choice of the venue for announcing the decision, as she was delivering her annual speech to the national legislature.

India: Deepen the reach of democracy: President, The Hindu (2010)

As the Election Commission celebrates its 60th anniversary, India's leaders call for the removal of malpractices in the electoral process, so that the Indian democracy is "cleaner, healthier and stronger". As the work of the Election Commission was evaluated, several challenges and goals such as striving for the real empowerment and participatory governance at the third tier, dealing with unaccounted election expenses and enforcing procedural inner party democracy were identified.

Anguilla: Candidates file nomination papers ahead of February 15 poll, Jamaica Observer (2010)

20 candidates, including 3 independents, have filed nomination papers for the participation in February 15 elections. The ruling Anguilla United Front is the only party that has fielded the full number of candidates (7). The Anguilla United Movement and Anguilla Progressive Party are fielding candidates in 5 of the 7 electoral districts. During the 2005 elections, 25 candidates were nominated, including 11 new ones. 8 new candidates have been nominated this year.

Fiji interim regime says no delay for 2014 elections, Solomon Star (2010)

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama has made a commitment in his address to the traditional leaders in Kadavu that there will be no delays in the elections scheduled for 2014. He also added a warning however, that the military will ensure that the elected government stays on the same track.

Kenya: House team scraps PM 's office, Daily Nation (2010)

The Parliamentary Select Committee wrapped up its negotiation Thursday afternoon after unanimously agreeing to do away with the office of the Prime Minister in the next political dispensation.

Iranian election protesters executed, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

Iran executed two opposition activists, convicted of trying to topple the country's regime and of membership in armed opposition groups. These are the first two known executions of opposition activists since the unrest after June elections. Since August, Iran has put on trial more than 100 activists, five of whom have been sentenced to death and more than 80 imprisoned. According to new reports, 9 more have been sentenced to death.

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Pakistan's Swat valley holds election, BBC News (2010)

People in Pakistan's Swat valley are voting for a new provincial assembly member after the incumbent was assassinated by the Taliban. This is the first election since Taliban militants were ejected from the area last year after a military offensive.

Turkish Cypriot presidential elections to be held April 18, Today's Zaman (2010)

The presidential elections, seen as crucial for the re-unification process, are scheduled for April 18, 2010. The winner will be responsible for negotiating the peace deal with the Greek Cypriots. Political parties have until March 9 to name their candidates, but it is expected that the pro-unification incumbent leader Mehmet Ali Talat will seek re-election. His likely challenger will be the current hard-line Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu.

Turkish Cypriot Premier runs for President, eyes landslide victory, Turkish Weekly (2010)

Turkish Cypriot Premier and leader of the Nationalist Union Party announced that he will run in the upcoming presidential elections with an aim to win in the first round, with a landslide victory. Known as a hard liner, Eroglu also said that he is ready to meet with the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias immediately after his victory and carry the peace process ahead, reaching a settlement "based on established facts."

Analysis-Rising violence threatens Philippine elections, Reuters (2010).

This article discusses the system of automated poll and level of violence in the 2010 Philippines national elections.

Philippines: Manual count possible in 30 percent of precincts, GMA News (2010).

This article discusses the possibility of using manual vote counting in 30% of polling station in the 2010 Philippines national elections.

Malaysia: EC Set To Lure 437,369 As Young Voters In Sarawak, Bernama (2010).

This article notes the identification by the Malaysia Election Commission (EC) of 437,369 people above the age of 21 in Sarawak who have yet to register as voters.



Sri Lanka police arrest staff of election's loser, The New York Times (2010)

After having accused the defeated candidate for presidential election, General Fonseka, of plotting to overthrow the government and assassinate the President, the police raided Fonseka's office and arrested 15 of his staff members. Fonseka rejected the election results and accused the government of stealing more than 1 million votes. As Fonseka announced that he is planning to run for a parliamentary seat, the post-election acrimony could continue until the general elections take place.

Sri Lanka government 'settling scores' in media crackdown, The Independent (2010)

The newly elected government of President Rajapaksa has been accused of a post-election crackdown on the media as at least 6 websites were blocked, several journalists received death threates while others have been assaulted and at least one detained after having questioned the conduct of the elections. The government insists it is not attacking the media, only preventing the spread of rumours.

Kenya:Political parties and IIEC in joint effort to better elections, IIEC news (2010)

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission, IIEC, held a consultative meeting with representatives of Political Parties to discuss and find solutions to issues affecting the parties and the electoral management body. 37 of the 47 registered Political Parties sent representatives to the meeting which was held in Nairobi on Friday 29th.

What did the presidential election exemplify? (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Positive and negative aspects of the electoral campaign.

Democratic presidential elections to foster Ukraine's EU accession (NRCU, 2010)

Holding democratic and fair election will speed up Ukraine's nearing to the European Union, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Petro Poroshenko and Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, have said this in London, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.