ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Bolivia:Bolivian president praises massive participation in regional elections,Xinhua (2010)

The record-high voter turnout was "a proof of the deepening of the Bolivian democracy," said Morales.

Bolivia: Bolivia Makes History in Regional Elections, Prensa Latina (2010)

"The Bolivian people woke up on Monday with the responsibility that have made history after completing departmental and municipal elections with discipline and high concurrence."

Philippines: New Comelec rules disallow election complaints at precinct level, GMA News (2010).

This article dicusses the new regulations by Commission on Elections (Comelec) that candidates can complain possible anomalous election documents until the winners proclaimed. Comelec Resolution 8804 says that candidates, political parties, and party-list groups can only question documents that they deem to be suspicious – such as election results, for instance – and challenge the results before the proclamation of winners if there is an "illegal composition of the board of canvassers (BOC)" and "illegal proceedings of the BOC." The Comelec said questions regarding the composition and proceedings of the BOC may be brought up before the BOC itself or to the poll body directly, with a verified petition stating the grounds for the complaint. However, the poll body said the electronic transmission of results and the proclamation of winners would not be suspended despite the filing of any petition. If the "illegality" of the BOC proceedings is discovered after the official proclamation of the results, a verified petition to annul the proclamation may be filed within 10 days, according to the resolution. - Kimberly Jane Tan/YA, GMANews.TV

RI to focus on Myanmar elections at summit, The Jakarta Post (2010).

This article discusses the statement from Indonesia Foreign Ministry spokesman that Indonesia will highlight the progress made in Myanmar’s reform at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Vietnam, leaders of 10 member states of ASEAN will meet from April 8-9, while the senior official- and ministerial-level will meet from April 5-7. “Indonesia will address the issue of Myanmar at the summit and voice concerns over the urgency to ensure that the upcoming elections in Myanmar will be inclusive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Monday.

Thai red-shirt protesters blockade Bangkok shops, BBC News (2010).

This article discusses the anti-government protesters who shut down Bangkok's shopping district and stormed election commission office in the demand for the government to step down and hold fresh elections. They have been demonstrating in the Thai capital for almost a month and over the weekend moved their protest to its commercial hub. A government request for a court eviction order has been turned down. The court ruled that the government already had the power to evict the protesters under the emergency security laws it has imposed. The protesters say they will not move until their demands are met and, says the BBC's South East Asia correspondent Rachel Harvey, their tactics are becoming increasingly bold and provocative.

President Obama needs to rethink the chill in Afghan relations, The Washington Post (2010)

President Obama declared that he was displeased with Mr. Karzai's performance. The Afghan leader has denounced alleged Western interference in last year's elections and declaring that he will not be an American puppet, even if that means "I'll join the Taliban."

India: And now, Bangalore too in BJP's kitty, The Hindu (2010)

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka reaffirmed its supremacy over Bangalore city by winning the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections with a clear majority. It won 112 of the 198 wards while the Opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) could manage only 64 and 15 wards respectively. The winners include seven independents.

Sri Lanka opposition vows to stop leader's poll plan, Reuters (2010)

Sri Lanka's opposition on 5 April vowed to deny the ruling coalition a two-thirds majority at this week's parliamentary election, saying it would give an already powerful president too free a hand to rule.

Mauritius PM dissolves parliament, calls elections, Reuters (2010)

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam dissolved parliament on Wednesday and said the Indian Ocean island would hold elections on May 5.

Botswana: The BDP split: What should the nation expect?, Mmegi (2010)

"The body politic, as well as the human body, begins to die as soon as it is born, and carries in itself the causes of its destruction".

French envoy calls for Madagascar polls, IOL (2010)

France on Wednesday called for "credible elections" in Madagascar to end a political crisis caused by the removal of former president Marc Ravalomanana a year ago.

Zimbabwe:Mugabe names group to steer election reform , IOL (2010)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday swore in members of a Human Rights and Electoral Commission expected to steer reforms towards free and fair elections.

Mauritius to hold parliamentary elections on May 5, Afrique Avenir (2010)

Mauritius is expected to hold Parliamentary elections on May 5, the country’s Prime Minister, Navin Chandra Ramgoolam has announced.

Afghan poll body backs Karzai on electoral row, The Washington Post (2010)

Afghanistan's election commission said on 6 April it backed a decree by President Hamid Karzai that limits foreigners' role in elections, scoring him another point in a dispute that has put him at odds with Washington.

Sri Lankan war zone doctor stands for election, BBC (2010)

A doctor who worked in Sri Lanka's war zone during last year's civil war is standing for a pro-government party in parliamentary elections.

Dominican Republic: Voter fraud is now history, Electoral judge says, Dominican Today (2010)

"The head of the Central Electoral Board’s (JCE) Administrative Chamber affirmed that nobody in the country will speak of fraud after that institution’s current tenure, because that concept disappeared."

Dominican Republic: Election court calls bids to print 13.8M midterm elections ballots, Dominican Today (2010)

"The Electoral Board’s (JCE) Administrative Chamber announced the start of a bidding to print 13.8 million ballots for the May 16 congressional and municipal elections, for which the Electoral court’s Bidding Commission will receive the tender offers."

Solomons yet to set date for general Elections, East-West Center (2010)

THE Electoral Commission Office is tightlipped over the date for the upcoming National Election. With Parliament dissolving on 24 April, no date has yet be floated.

Thai red-shirt protesters march on parliament, BBC News (2010).

This article discusses the Thai anti-government protesters who call for new elections and march on to the parliament.

Malaysia: Varsity Students Advised Against Participating In Political Campaigns, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses the advice for students of public institutions of higher learning to not be involved in activities during Hulu Selangor Parliamentary by-election campaign.