ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

New Solomons MP dies, Australia Network News (2010)

This article reports on the death of Solomon Islands newly-elected Prime Minister, Steve Laore. According to the Solomon Island electoral law, a new member for Shortlands will have to elected in a by-election.

Ivory Coast plans to finalize voter registration for elections in September, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the upcoming presidential elections in Ivory Coast. The electoral commission declared that the final roster of the voter registration will be published in September, and then everything will be ready for the October 31st elections. Ivory Coast is still a divided country, after the 2001 civil conflict, and the success of the electoral process is vital.

French Polynesia: Tahiti election reform talks in doubt, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the possibility of the failure of next month's scheduled talks in Paris about the electoral reform in French Polynesia. As a matter of fact, some political parties will boycott the meeting organized by the French overseas territories minister. Paris has changed the electoral law three times since 2004, but this did not bring political stability to the country. The last reform was implemented even though the French Polynesia assembly voted overwhelmingly against it.

Cooks cabinet considers November referendum on political reform, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Cabinet's discussions about the possibility to hold a national referendum on political reform in November in the Cook Islands. The referendum will be on the same day of the scheduled general elections. The Electoral Committee, however, is concerned about the time constraints, especially if the ballot papers must be modified to include the referendum question and voter education campaigns must be set up.

Party politics far from established in Solomons, say academic, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article comments Dr Jon Fraenkel's opinion on the political party system in Solomon Islands. According to Dr Fraenkel of the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific, party politics is still far from established in the country, and this would be proved by the difficulties in electing a Prime Minister.

Montenegro: Law on Referendum as of 19 February 2001

OSCE – ODIHR Unofficial translation.

Nicaragua: Political alliances register for opposition primary in March 2011, Nicanet (2010)

"August 22 was the deadline for alliances to sign up for the opposition primary election organized by the Permanent Commission on Human Rights (CPDH) and scheduled for March 2011."

Nicaraguans say US turns blind eye to abuses of Daniel Ortega, CSMonitor (2010)

"Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega has been accused of rigging elections, manipulating the Supreme Court, and threatening the press. Unlike during his term in the 1980s, this time Washington has other problems to deal with."

Dominican Republic: JCE judges to be evaluated by Senate Commission, Dominican Today (2010)

"The Senate of the Republic named a special commission that will evaluate the new judges of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) and which will have Cristina Lizardo, the Senator for the Santo Domingo Province, as the head."

Wyclef Jean's disqualification leaves Haiti in political uncertainty, The Los Angeles Times (2010)

This article reports on Wyclef Jean's statement for his supporters. The popular singer urged his supporters in Haiti to respect the electoral council's decision to reject his presidential candidacy. In the past, this situation would have set off riots in the capital, yet this time no giant demonstrations or clashes happened.

Wyclef Jean can't appeal electoral decision, say Haitian law experts, Haiti News (2010)

This article reports on Wyclef Jean's disqualifications as presidential candidate. The singer was rejected by the electoral council because he did not meet the residency requirements set by the constitution (5 years), but Haitian law experts stated that the ruling is final and he cannot appeal.

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India: Police seek two more in stolen EVM case, The Hindustan Times (2010)

This article reports on the police investigation on the theft of Electronic Voting Machines in India. The main suspect, Mr Prasad, reportedly stole an EVM and then appeared on TB to demonstrate how the machine could be tampered with. Mr Prasad denies the theft, stating that the machine had been given to him to prove that it could be manipulated.

Slovakia: Alojz Hlina declares he will run for mayor of Bratislava (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

Entrepreneur Alojz Hlina, who became well-known after stealing the Slovak state flag from Slovak National Party (SNS) headquarters in Bratislava and engaging in various types of political protests, announced on Monday, August 23, that he will stand for the post of mayor of Bratislava at the local elections in November.

Slovakia: Fico and Sulík clash over referendum (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

Speaker of the Slovak Parliament Richard Sulík (Freedom and Solidarity (SaS)) will face a no-confidence vote in parliament, Smer leader and former prime minister Robert Fico said at a press conference in Bratislava on August 25.

Ukraine: Yanukovych wants parliament to hold extraordinary session to amend local election law (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said he will insist that the Verkhovna Rada hold an extraordinary session in order to amend the law on local elections, and that he will submit his bill of amendments on August 25.

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Budapest Mayor Demszky bows out after 20 years (Politics.hu, 2010)

Budapest mayor Gábor Demszky made recommendation to the next city leadership yesterday as he chaired a city council meeting for the last time after 20 years in office.

Ukraine - Coalition supports President's initiative to amend the law on local elections (Isria, 2010)

President Viktor Yanukovych met with members of the council of "Stability and Reforms” Coalition. At the meeting coalition members expressed support to President’s initiative to amend the law on local elections.

Yanukovych could preserve power in Kyiv by cancelling elections (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych appears to be attempting to extend his power grab to the country’s capital via a local initiative to eliminate the city of Kyiv’s district councils.