ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Guinea bans vote protests before court verdict, Reuters Africa (2010)

The caretaker government in Africa has banned participating in public protests ahead of the upcoming run-off election. Some parties are contesting the results claiming there were substantial irregularities, international observers have noted that while there were some logistical problems overall they were satisfied with the electoral process.

Hungary's new president - Fidesz' 'one-of-us' man (WAZ, 2010)

BRUSSELS and BUDAPEST - For the first time since the fall of socialism, a Hungarian president has been elected with strong ties to the ruling party, Fidesz, which used its two-third parliamentary majority to secure victory for its man, Pal Schmitt.

Govt’s man wins presidency (The Budapest Times, 2010)

From swordsmanship to the cut and thrust of domestic politics: former Olympic fencing champion Pál Schmitt is elected President of the Republic.

One Year After Elections Albania Still Divided (Balkan Insight, 2010)

One year ago, on June 28, 2009, roughly 1.6 million Albanians headed to the polls to vote for members of parliament in what was undoubtedly one of the most closely scrutinized elections in the country’s history.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Three RS parties form pre-election coalition (SETimes.com, 2010)

The three ruling parties in Republika Srpska -- the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), the Democratic People's Alliance and the Socialist Party -- have agreed to back a single candidate for RS president.

Bulgaria to Hold Presidential, Local Vote Together in 2011 (Sofia News Agency, 2010)

Bulgaria's presidential elections will be held together with the local vote next year, most probably in October, officials from the ruling party have announced.

Japan PM in danger of missing election target: report, Reuters (2010)

The Democratic Party of Japan will likely still run the government, regardless of the election results on June 12 as it controls the more powerful lower house of parliament, but a poor showing could complicate policy-making.

Ukraine: Over 200 people picketing parliament in protest against adoption of local election law (Kyiv Post, 2010)

Over 200 representatives of public organizations are picketing the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday, July 6, in protest against the adoption of a law on the elections to local councils.

Jordan:Voter registration extended until July 22, The Jordan Times (2010)

The government has extended the deadline for voter registration to July 22 following an increase in the number of applications over the past few days. The increase in female voters may also be positive for female candidates, 12 parliamentary seats are reserved for women.

Jordan:Disabled voters promised access to polling centres, The Jordan Times (2010)

The government has promised that polling centres will specially equipped people with disabilities. This is part of the effort by the government to encourage participation by all eligible voters.

Niger to Hold Presidential Election in January, VOA (2010)

The independent election commission have set the presidential election for January 3 2011, and January 14 is also planned for a run-off, if necessary, but there are concerns that the country will not be able to cover the estimated $57 million necessary for the polls.

Guinean Candidate Expected to File Election Complaint, VOA (2010)

An adviser to Sidya Touré, the candidate who placed third in the first round of the presidential election, has said that Touré will file a formal complaint with the Supreme Court contesting the results.

Guinea security forces break march with tear gas, Reuters Africa (2010)

Security forces dispersed a crowd of protesters using tear gas. The march was to protest alleged electoral fraud in the first round of the presidential elections. The second round, a run-off between Alpha Condé and Cellou Dalein Diallo is scheduled for July 18.

Moldova's parliament wriggles out of political deadlock (EUobserver, 2010)

Today's news could have been that Moldova has no parliament, after eight months of having no president either. The unpalatable perspective has convinced a majority of the country's legislature to end the protracted dispute about how to designate the next Moldovan president.

Moldovan govt proposes Sept 5 referendum date (Reuters, 2010)

Moldova's pro-Western ruling coalition on Friday proposed Sept. 5 as the date for a referendum to decide how the state president should be elected.

Local Elections May Herald Period Of Flux In Montenegro (Eurasia Review, 2010)

The results of Montenegro’s municipal elections, held on 23 May, appear to demonstrate that the country’s politics continues to follow a familiar script. Montenegro, after all, has not seen a change of government, at least not through the mechanism of democratic elections, since the first democratic elections took place there in 1990.

Colombians Say Santos Will Be Same as Uribe, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article discusses the result of the recent presidential election and a poll which indicates that most people do not believe that president-elect Juan Manuel Santos will be any different from his predecessor.

Montenegro's DPS, SDP reach power-sharing agreement (SETimes, 2010)

State-level coalition partners -- the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) -- reached an agreement to form a coalition within Podgorica's local government.

Serbian opposition calls for elections (The Polijam Times, 2010)

The leaders of Serbia's opposition parties say early parliamentary elections are needed to solve the many problems facing their country.

Slovakia completes government deal (TV NZ, 2010)

The four centre-right parties which together won a majority in Slovakia's June 12 election have agreed to form a coalition, with fiscal hawk Ivan Miklos returning as finance minister.