ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Nigeria: Prosecution of electoral offenders, The Daily Sun (2010)

This article discusses the Independent National Electoral Commission's decision to prosecute perpetrators of electoral malpractices in the 2007 elections in Nigeria. This move came unexpectedly, as many people feel that the commission should focus more on the preparations for the upcoming 2011 elections. However, Professor Attahiru Jega, the chief of the commission, believes that it is impossible to hold an election in the future without addressing the past electoral fraud and finding ways to avoid such malpractices.

Nigeria: Seven firms scramble for N74bn voters register contracts, Vanguard (2010)

This article reports on voters registration's preparations in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission is currently deciding which company to hire for the voters registration contracts. The selection, which was not advertised, involves seven Nigeria companies. The past voters rolls have been completely discarded, and the new selected company would receive billions of naira.

Serious threats against Sweden's left-wing leader, The Wire (2010)

This article reports on threats against Mona Sahlin, leader of the left-wing opposition in Sweden. The candidate for Prime Minister received a series of threatening emails and letters, and the police started an investigation on the matter. Ms Sahlin has been targeted before: in 2004, a man punched her during a visit in a Northern town and in 1995 she was forced to work in a bullet-proof room. The Social Democratic Party lost of the its main leaders in the past decades (Olof Palme and Anna Lindh), and it is now taking extraordinary measures to guarantee Ms Sahlin's safety.

Angola: Deputy Minister Happy With Voters Registration in Bie, AllAfrica (2010)

This article reports on voter registration in Bie province. The deputy minister of Territory Administration for Institutional and Electoral Affairs has expressed his satisfaction on the latest participation in the region. The is also an increase in youths participating in voter registration in the area.

Australia: Fears of massive swing in voter backlash, News.Au (2010)

This article discusses the expected voter turnout in the upcoming elections in Australia. In 2007, 453,600 Australians did not vote (and 59,000 were fined), while 510,000 left their ballot blank ("informal vote"). In the upcoming elections, 1 million people are expected to shun the election, and this will greatly influence the outcome: every vote will count. The major reason for invalid votes is believed to be the language barrier.

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USA: Election outcomes affect suicide rates, UPI (2010)

This article reports on the findings of U.S. researchers on the relations between suicide rates and elections. Richard A. Dunn and Timothy J. Classen found that suicide rates decrease when a majority of voters in a region supported the national election winner, and the same effect can be reported when the majority of the voters supported the election loser.

Brazil's Rousseff widens lead to 11 points over Serra in Presidential poll, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on the last opinion poll in Brazil. Dilma Rousseff is still leading the competition, with 11 percentage points (43%). Sao Paulo Governor, Jose Serra, is supported by 32% of the people interviewed, while Green Party candidate Marina Silva by 8%. (The nationwide poll had a 2% margin of error).

Brazil: Lula calls on internet users to "support Rousseff", Buenos Aires Herald (2010)

This article reports on President Lula's call for support among Internet users for his chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva stated that the Internet makes the flow of information more democratic and gives the possibility for every users to become an opinion builder. Each voter, he concluded, has the power to inform and be informed.

Star's hopes to lead Haiti draw new scrutiny, The New York Times (2010)

This article investigate on the new Presidential candidate for Haiti, popular singer Wyclef Jean. In particular, new investigations are underway on the work of his charity organization, Yéle Haiti. New rumors and reports show that Mr Jean poorly handled money, and this raises concerns about his candidacy. The Elections Board will disclose the final list of candidates who qualified only on Tuesday.

Haiti waits to hear if Wyclef can run, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the publishing of the elections board's final list of presidential candidates. Today (August 17), the board should release the list of candidates who qualified to run: 34 people applied, and most of the attention is on Wyclef Jean's candidacy. As a matter of fact, the Haiti-born singer does not have all the constitutional qualifications, like the 5-years residency requirement.

As Cook Islands prepares for elections there's anger over nomination process, Radio New Zealand International

This article reports on some protests against the process for the nominating of candidates. Democratic Party supporters are calling for a more transparent process, for the upcoming general elections (November 17).

Political reform to be a key issue in Cook Islands election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the main issues in the upcoming elections in the Cook Islands. The much-needed political reform will be one of the major policy issue, and political parties will be soon challenged to make a formal commitment before the November 17th elections.

Tuvaluans able to vote from any polling station in country for looming poll, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the September 16 elections in Tuvalu. Five thousand voters will elect 15 representatives, and this year they will be able to vote in any polling station in the islands that form the country. Overseas postal vote, however, is not allowed.

Tongans told they have two more weeks to get on the electoral roll, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the upcoming elections in Tonga. The newly-established Electoral Commission is urging Tongan voters to register in the electoral rolls for the November elections, as registration is compulsory. The country will elect the first democratic Legislative Assembly in its history.

USA: Don't underestimate the younger voter, The Seattle Times (2010)

This article discusses the "Millennial" Generation' vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The Millennial Generation (people born after 1980) is the largest generation in the history of the United States, yet too often politicians underestimate their vote and do not target them in their campaigns and programmes.

Hungary: Act XXXIII of 1989 on the Operation and Financial Management of Political Parties, last modified on 14 April 2009

Act XXXIII of 1989 on the Operation and Financial Management of Political Parties, last modified on 14 April 2009 (abstract issue)

Reuter poll trend: Australia's Gillard holds slim election lead, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the final days of the electoral campaign in Australia. A Reuters Poll Trend showed that Julia Gillard, Labor Party candidate, is leading the competition by a very small margin (51.5%), and Tony Abbot, Liberal-National party leader, is staying behind (48.5%).

Myanmar poll date 'welcomed', The Straits Times (2010).

This article discusses the response of ASEAN to the planned November 7 Myanmar general elections.

Myanmar: Election Boycott Campaign Heats Up, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses November 7 election boycott campaign launched by activists in Myanmar.