ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Kazakhstan’s Parliament May Expand Presidential Powers, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article reports that Kazakhstan’s parliament is mulling legislative changes that would bestow new powers on the incumbent president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. In addition to granting Nazarbayev the title of “leader of the nation,” he would gain the right to intervene in politics after he officially retired from the presidency and would enjoy enhanced immunity from prosecution.

Georgia: Commission Agrees on Basic Draft of Constitution, Civil.ge (2010)

The article reports that Georgia's State commission on constitutional reform agreed on May 11 on a draft, which should serve as a basis for the new constitution. If approved the draft, which has yet to face multiple discussions, will significantly increase Prime Minister’s powers at the expense of the presidential authority.

Angola: Political parties congratulated on successful elections, ANGOP (2012)

In this article, chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), André da Silva Neto congradulates political parties and coalitions on the successful electoral process. The general elections were held on August 31.

Swaziland: Swaziland will be a democracy - Cosatu, News24 (2012)

In this article, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) says it will not be long before Swaziland is a democratic country. Cosatu deputy president, Zingiswa Losi told reporters that this is not a promise but a fact.

Macau Electoral Commissioner

 

Albania’s local elections were competitive and transparent, but political parties acted irresponsibly, observers say, OSCE (2011)

According to international observers the local elections in Albania were competitive and tranparent although on election day accured some procedural difficulties. So far the counting has been transparent but has been delayed in many areas.

Costa Rica’s Chinchilla Could Win in First Round, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

"Laura Chinchilla could secure a victory in the first round of Costa Rica’s upcoming presidential election, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 44 per cent of respondents would vote for Chinchilla of the governing Liberal National Party (PLN) in next month’s ballot, down one point since December."

Zambia: Chiluba endorses Banda, IOL (2010)

Zambia's former leader Frederick Chiluba has endorsed President Rupiah Banda for re-election next year, state media said on Tuesday, in the latest sign of his renewed embrace of the party he once led.

Madagascar: Rajoelina open to discussion on poll date, IOL (2010)

adagascar's embattled leader opened the door on Tuesday to the possibility of pushing back the date of widely criticised elections scheduled for March on the Indian Ocean island.

IIEC Training for voter registrations kicks off in Nairobi, IIEC News (2010)

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission on 13th January conducted training for the newly appointed officials in preparation for the National Voter Registration exercise set to begin next month. 17 Regional Electoral Coordinators (RECs) and Directors were taken through a 5 days training. The training aimed to impart knowledge on electoral systems, the role of an elections management body, the laws that govern elections in Kenya and procedure of capturing data for compilation of the voter’s register.

Kenya: IIEC prepares constituency coordinators for fresh registration, IIEC (2010)

More than 210 newly appointed Interim Independent Electoral Commission Constituency Coordinators (CECs) were trained at the Multi-Media University, KCCT, Mbagathi, Nairobi, on voter registration exercise. The three day hands-on training was in preparation for a countrywide voter registration next month. A report on 2007 elections in Kenya cited cases of double registration and dead voters in the national register and calls for a fresh and credible register.

Sarkozy wants new electoral system for French Polynesia, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

French President Sarkozy has recently made a declaration that he will push for a change of French Polynesia's electoral system, so that the political stability will be increased. French Polynesia's electoral system was last changed under urgency in 2007 to hold general elections in 2008. Since then, there have been 4 presidents and there is now a threat of fresh no confidence vote to be lodged. The next election is scheduled for 2013.

Uganda: EC to re-organise Polling Stations, EC (2010)

The Electoral Commission has approved a programme outlining activities that will lead to re-organisation of polling stations countrywide.

Tanzania: MPs welcome review of constituency boundaries, The Citizen (2010)

Members of Parliament have overwhelmingly supported the announcement by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for a review and a possible split-up of some constituency boundaries.

Sri Lanka opposition cries foul, Aljazeera (2010)

The presidential elections in Sri Lanka were won by the incumbent President Rajapaksa who received 57.8% of the 10.4 million votes cast. His opponent, General Fonseka received 40.2% of the votes, but rejected them and announced that he will challenge them in court. Fonseka accused Rajapaksa of using the state media and public funds to attack him and preventing the Tamil minority from voting. The electoral commissioner, who has resigned appears to agree with some of the allegations, noting that "the state media violated his guidelines and government institutions misbehaved."

India: Chawla says compulsory voting idea not feasible, India Today (2010)

As the Gujarat state election commission made voting in their panchayat elections compulsory, the Chief Election Commissioner, Navin Chawla, rejected this idea on the national scale. The Election Commission has proposed some other electoral reforms though, most of which require amendments to the Representation of the People's Act. One of the most significant proposals relates to debarring people with criminal history from contesting elections. All of the proposed changes are now examined by the Parliament's standing committee.

Hong Kong MPs quit in an attempt to push Beijing towards direct elections, Guardian (2010)

In an attempt to press Beijing into allowing direct elections before 2017, five Hong Kong MPs resigned, so that a campaign for democracy can be revived. These opposition MPs hope that their resignations will force a special election pitting pro-democracy candidates against the pro-China ones, and hence serve as a referendum on democracy in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government is required by law to organize special by-elections as soon as possible, although no exact deadline is set.

Kazakh Party Proposes Abolishing Prime Minister Post, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports about the initiative of Kazakhstan's pro-presidential Adilet (Justice) party to abolish the post of prime minister and give most of its powers to Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev. Nazarbaev has been president of Kazakhstan since it gained independence in 1991. He was reelected to a seven-year term in 2005, in an election that was deemed by international observers to be neither free nor fair.

Central African opposition blocks former president as candidate, Bloomberg (2009)

The head of the opposition Movement for the Liberation of Central African People rejected former president Patassé who returned from exile a month ago as a candidate for his party.

Central African Republic: CAR rebels, opposition pull out of poll plans, Reuters (2010)

Central African Republic's main opposition parties and former rebel group have pulled out of preparations for elections scheduled for this year, accusing President Bozize of planning to rig the polls. The peace process is now threatened, as some anti-Bozize rebels may take up arms again. The opposition calls on the UN mission in the country to find an agreed solution to the crisis.