ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Improving the electoral roll and voter identification in Papua New Guinea, The National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea (2010)

This is a research paper by the National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea (NRI). This paper analyses the electoral enrollment system in Papua New Guinea and the Voter Identification procedures. First of all, the authors introduce the legal framework of the enrollment system and the way the voters' roll currently works. Then, they examine the major issues and shortcomings of the system, finally presenting a series of recommendations.

Papua New Guinea: Realigning Electoral Incentives: Lessons for the 2012 National General Election from conflict theory and public policy, The National Research Institute (2010)

This paper was published by the National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea in 2010. The authors analyze the management of the elections in the country (in particular the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission's work) and presents a few recommendations and suggestions for improvements. To prevent conflict in particular, the Commission should work closely with other institutions and candidates, communities and voters not only to manage the elections, but to "realign the incentives that drive behavior."

Papua New Guinea: General Elections, Domestic Observation Report, The National Research Institute (2009)

This is an electoral observation report released by the National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea. In 2007, The seventh general elections were held in Papua New Guinea, and Sir Micheal Somare was re-elected Prime Minister. These elections were very important for the country because for the first time a new electoral system was introduced: the the new Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system replaced the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. For the first time domestic electoral observers were deployed in polling stations all around the country. The National Research Institute concluded that overall the 2007 elections were well-managed and peaceful, even though election fraud and malpractice continue to be an issue in some regions of the country.

Papua New Guinea: Priorities for a free and fair election, The National Research Institute (2009)

This is a research paper released by the National Research Institute of Papua New Guinea. The authors of this papers analyze the preparations and the management of the 2007 elections, and try to identify the critical issues that should be addressed. Overall, the elections were very successfully managed: no election-related conflict was reported and the new Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system was introduced without any major setbacks. Voter education campaigns introduced and explained the new system to an unprecedented number of citizens. However, some major issues concern the voter registration procedures and in the general the updating and maintenance of the electoral roll.

How an Australian election works, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates from the Australian electoral campaign of what appear to be one of the tightest elections in two decades. Julia Gillard is leading the polls with only five percentage points, but everything could change in the five days left for the campaign.

Swedish PM offers tax cuts and starts election campaign, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the beginning of the Swedish electoral campaign. The four-party 'Alliance' that was able to win over the Social Democrats in the 2006 general elections, promised to continue with their low-taxes policies. The ruling Alliance, led by Fredrik Reinfeldt, appears to be leading the opinion polls.

Over 50 parties to participate in parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, RIA Novosti (2010)

This article reports on the Central Electoral Committee's announcement for the upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan. 57 political parties already registered for the October elections, announce by the President Roza Otunbayeva in April. A preliminary research estimated that the elections will cost $3 million.

Labor has big poll lead before Australia election, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the latest opinion polls in Australia. The electoral campaign, one of the "hottest" in the last years, is about to finish: elections are scheduled for August 21. The Nielsen poll results show that the Labor party is leading the competition (53%), with the conservative coalition (47%) falling behind.

Current Twitter trends: Australian elections, Singapore youth Olympic Games, Pakistan floods, The Independent (2010)

This article reports on the latest trends on Twitter. Unexpectedly, the Australian elections are becoming very popular (on 6th position in the 'top 10 talked about topics on Twitter'), right next to newly released movies and the Pakistan floods.

Cook Islands leader announces election date, Radio New Zealand (2010)

This article reports on the Cook Islands Prime Minister's announcement of the date for the next elections. PM Jim Marurai declared that elections will be held on November 17th. The elections are called after a difficult year for the government, and calls of political reforms have increased.

Solomon Islands' Democratic Party secures 14th seat, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operation that are still being carried in the Solomon Islands. The Democratic Party won its 14th seats, finally becoming the most successful party in this year's elections.

Last seat in Solomon Islands poll delcared, Australia Network News (2010)

This article reports on the conclusion of the vote counting operations in the Solomon Islands. A week after the elections, the last seat was assigned to the winner, Martin Kealoe. The Democratic Party turnout to be the biggest party in the 50-seat Parliament.

Uganda govt must ensure elections are free and fair, Daily Monitor (2010)

This article discusses the political environment in Uganda. Violence periodically erupts in some regions of the country, where pro-government forces often face the opposition. According to the author of this article, it is critical that the government take steps to build public trust in the election process and the country’s democratic institutions.

Madagascar parties, president sign deal on elections, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the agreement signed by the Madagascar President and 90 minor political parties on the dates for the constitutional referendum, parliamentary and presidential elections. President Andry Rojoelina gained the control of the country in a coup last year, but he now set the electoral schedule. On November 17, citizens will be called to vote a constitutional referendum, while the parliamentary and presidential elections will b e on March and May.

President Napolitano says early elections may hurt growth, l'Unita reports, Bloomberg

This article reports on Italian President Giorgio Napolitano's decision to refuse to call early elections. President Napolitano called for national unity and political peace in order not to undermine economic growth.

Liberia's Weah forms alliance, News 24 (2010)

This article reports on a new political coalition that will present itself in the upcoming elections in Liberia. Soccer legend George Weah decided to join the new coalition formed by three opposition parties: Weah's Congress for Democratic Change, the former ruling National Patriotic Party (Charles Taylor's party) and the Progressive Democratic Party (of former warlord Sekou Damate Conneh). The coalition will compete in the 2011 presidential elections. Weah competed before: in the 2005 run-off elections he lost to Sirleaf, who became Africa's first democratically elected female head of state.

Rwanda: Indian community celebrate independence, Kagame victory, AlllAfrica (2010)

This article reports on the celebrations of the Indian community in Rwanda. The community originally celebrated the independence, but on the same occasion the leaders decided to celebrate also Kagame's electoral victory.

South Africa: Shrinking numbers on voters' roll in Newcastle reason for concern, Sowetanlive (2010)

The provincial office of the Independent electoral commission of South Africa is concerned with the decrease in number of registered voters in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The IEC mentioned that, the voters' roll had more women than men and youths. Causes of this range from people moving from the where they are and go and register in other areas as voters and youths who seem to be absent when they have to register.

South Africa: DA, ID to merge, News24 (2010)

The Democratic Alliance (DA) intends to merger with the Independent Democrats (ID), the merger looks to offer a united electoral challenge to the African National Congress (ANC). Their first test will be in the upcoming 2011 local government elections.

Australian election could hit Kiwis, Stuff (2010)

This article reports on the impact of the electoral campaign on the Kiwi community in Australia. Tony Abbot's plans for immigration could target the thousands of expat Kiwis in the country: he declared his intentions to review the agreement on freedom of movement between Australia and New Zealand as part of his reform.