ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Campaign workers killed as Afghan violence spreads, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the security situation in Afghanistan. As elections are approaching, the security situation is deteriorating. Five campaign workers have been found dead in the western Herat province. The five people were campaigning for an outspoken female MP seeking re-election, Fawzia Gilani. During the weekend, a candidate from the same area, Haji Abdul Manan, was killed while walking towards a mosque.

Solomon Islands: UN Secretary General praises peaceful elections, The Solomon Times (2010)

This article reports on the statement made by the UN Secretary General on the elections in the Solomon Islands. The SG spokesperson stated that Ban Ki Moon has commended the people and the government of Solomon Islands for successfully carrying out the last elections. The UN assisted the Solomon Islands by coordinating the deployment of international observers.

Ukraine: Extraordinary session of Verkhovna Rada has opened (NRCU, 2010)

An extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine has opened with three questions put on the agenda of its meeting.

The rebalancing of Ukraine's political system (BNE, 2010)

In a speech given to mark Ukraine's 19th year of independence on Aug 24, President Viktor Yanukovych declared that he has a "formula" for strengthening Ukraine that includes "a strong president who has real powers to coordinate and control the implementation of key reform issues and the country's strategic course." The main ingredient in the president's "formula" is a return of Ukraine's government to the presidential-parliamentary system of the Kuchma era. In order to accomplish this, Yanukovych is pushing for a repeal of law No. 2222-IV.

Hungary: Greens to boycott Socialist ethical code in protest against smear (Politics.hu, 2010)

The green opposition party Politics Can Be Different (LMP) said on Friday they would not sign a code of ethics for the upcoming local elections proposed by the main opposition Socialists.

Hungary: Ruling Fidesz expects landslide victory at local elections (Politics.hu, 2010)

The governing Fidesz party expects a victory in the upcoming municipal election similar to the one it gained in the general elections in April, Lajos Kosa, the party's deputy head said in an interview in Magyar Nemzet daily on Saturday.

Hungary: PM Orbán to assess 100 days in office on Sept 7 (Politics.hu, 2010)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban will assess the first 100 days of his government on September 7, the prime minister's spokesman announced on Friday.

Australia PM rejects fresh election call, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article reports on the Australian Prime Minister's statement against early elections. As a matter of fact, despite the hung parliament, PM Julia Gillard rejected the idea to call early elections. Ms Gillard's Labor party and the opposition Liberal-National coalition are currently holding meetings with independent lawmakers, in order to form a government coalition.

Swedish government in lead ahead of September vote-poll, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the Swedish electoral campaign. New opinion polls show that the center-right coalition government is gaining popularity and would gain enough votes to form a majority government. The Alliance is currently supported by 49.8% of the people, while the center-left opposition by 44.8%. The polls also show that, as of now, the far-right Swedish Democrats would not reach the 4% threshold to enter the parliament.

Tunisia unveils new cabinet, Magharebia (2011)

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali on Thursday (December 22nd) presented his government to the Constituent Assembly. The 41-member coalition cabinet consists of 30 ministers and 11 state secretaries.

Yemen: Preparation of security plan for early presidential elections start, Yemen Observer (2011)

This news article says that the Reconciliation Government has approved the budget of early elections scheduled on next February 21, according to memorandum from the Finance Minister following agreement with the Supreme Elections and Referendum Committee (SERC). Meanwhile, the security committees in the governorates continued their meetings that are designated for carrying out early presidential elections on February 21, 2012, that is approved by the SERC.

Kuwait: New faces, new approach needed in Assembly: al-Ghanim, Arab Times (2011)

This news article says that thirty parliament hopefuls from a variety of backgrounds submitted their nomination papers on the sixth day of the election registration period. This brings the total number of registered candidates to 252, including 13 women.

Iraq: Sadrists Call for New Elections , VoA News (2011)

This news article says that the Iraqi political bloc led by anti-American Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has issued a call to dissolve Iraq's parliament and hold early elections, in a move that could escalate the country's growing sectarian crisis.

Palestine: Zahhar: Hamas will sweep to victory in next elections, Maan News Agency (2011)

In this news article, Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar said Sunday 25 December, that his movement would win a sweeping victory in upcoming legislative elections due in May. Zahhar said that Hamas would improve on their 2006 election victory, where they won 74 of an available 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council.

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Afghan election commission orders recounts, Associated Press (2010)

Voting at locations in seven provinces after last week's parliamentary elections was ordered recounts by Afghan election officials on Sunday. More than 3,500 complaints of cheating or misconduct have been sent to government anti-fraud elections officials, of which 57 percent are serious enough to affect the outcome of a vote.

Nepal: PM election deadlock remains, Hindustan Times (2010)

Nepali lawmakers have failed to elect a new prime minister for the eighth time last Sunday due to abstention of 410 of the 599 members of parliament although there was only one candidate in fray. The next round of voting will take place on September 30.

Nepal: Next round too unlikely to yield result, Republica (2010)

The next round of the prime ministerial election will take place on September 30. However, the deadlock does not appear to come to an end as the Nepali Congress keeps sticking to ongoing election process.

Ireland: FG ends vote pairing deal in attempt to prompt early election, The Irish Times (2010)

Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin will prompt an early election as the Dáil resumes this week by enforcing stricter pairing arrangements and pressurizing the government to hold outstanding byelections.

Guam: GEC holding another election prep meeting, KUAM News (2010)

As the Decision 2010 General Election is approaching, the Guam Election Commission will have another meeting this Wednesday to continue to discuss what to do with complying with a federal law regarding overseas and military voting.