ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Philippines: ARMM polls deferred to 2013; Palace sets regional reforms, Business World Online (2011).

This article discusses the election postponement in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) until 2013 under signed law by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III.

Georgia: Two Deaths Mark Independence Day Protest, EurasiaNet (2011)

The article comments on May 26 anti-governmental protests in Tbilisi; responses of the government and opposition regarding the demonstrations, as well as the possible effect of the two deaths on the future of the protests.

Armenian Election Law Again Amended, Azatutyun (2011)

The article reports about recent amendments of Armenia's electoral law. The parliament's pro-government majority says the amendments will facilitate the proper conduct of the next Armenian elections, while the opposition believes that lack of political will is the major concern with regard to the country's electoral processes.

Haiti's dead on the electoral list but election remains a go, Caribbean World News (2010)

This article reports on the final preparations of the November elections in Haiti. The Chief of the Joint OAS-CARICOM Electoral Observation Mission in Haiti reported some irregularities in the voter registration: the people who died in the January 12 earthquake are still on the voters' list. The Haitian authorities, however, replied that the name of a voter cannot be deleted from the list without a death certificate, but assured that the necessary measures have been taken for a proper voter identification.

Tense Côte d'Ivoire prepares for historic poll, The Mail and Guardian (2010)

This article reports on the preparations of the historic presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire. President Laurent Gbagbo will run against former president Henri Konan Bedie and former prime minister Alassane Outtara. In the country the situation is still tense, and many citizens fear election-related violence. Earlier this year, violence broke out during the voter registration - which was suspended and resumed only last month.

Afghanistan: Big men, big money, big voting scam, CBS News (2010)

This article discusses the outcomes of the September Afghan elections. One after the election, the Electoral Complaints Commission is still investigating on more than 4,200 complaints. Voter turnout is still a big issue: right after the election, 3.6 million votes were collected. A few week after, the voter rose to 4.4 million, and now the Commission stated that there are 5.6 million (1.3 million of which have been discarded).

South Africa: Plans in place for COPE's elective congress: Shilowa, SABC News (2010)

The article reports on the preparations for the COPE's elective congress. It is reported that senior members of the party have different views on the actual date of the congress.

South Africa: Bill Aims to Iron Out Election Kinks, All Africa (2010)

The article reports on the new bill passed by Members of Parliament. Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma welcomed the adoption. These are amendments to the Municipal Electoral Amendment Bill. The amendmends are reported to address problems encountered during both 2006 and 2009 elections.

Zimbabwe: Civil Society Groups Pressure SADC to Send Election Monitors, All Africa (2010)

The aricle reports on Civil Society Organisations request to SADC to send monitors to the 2011 Zimbabwe eletions. It is reported that South Africa President, Jacob Zuma has been presented with enough evidence to try and convience SADC to send monitors.

Turks and Caicos Islands: FCO Minister is ‘optimistic’ following constitutional reform talks, TC Weekly News (2011)

Following a series of talks on constitutional reform, the UK's Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) has reported that significant changes have been made to the proposed new constitution for the TCI and elections are on track for 2012. Changes include the rejection of an initially proposed mixed member proportional electoral system.

[···]

 

Bermuda:Cox slams OBA over court case reaction, Royal Gazette (2011)

Bermuda's Premier, Paula Cox, is condemning the Opposition for playing “petty politics” and ‘impugning the integrity” of Government following corruption claims against former Premier Ewart Brown and has hinted that an election needs to called "sooner rather than later."

Angola: Outgoing chairman of SADC defends reinforcement of contributions, ANGOP (2011)

Namibian President, Lucas Pohamba who is also the outgoing chairman of SADC has defended the need to reinforce the contributions of members states. He said that the contributions will finance the activities of the regional organisation’s Secretariat without any constraints.

South Africa: Action against Malema overdue: UDM, IOL (2011)

One of South Africa's opposition parties, United Democratic Movement (UDM) has come out to say that the ANC's action against its youth wing leader Julius Malema is long overdue. This comes after the statement was released by the ANC saying Malema had been charged with violating the ANC constitution.

Afghanistan: Consensus Recommendations for Electoral Reform in Afghanistan, Democracy International (2010)

This paper presents 34 consensus recommendations are a result of a comprehensive review and analysis of recommendations presented by a wide range of stakeholders to Afghanistan's election process and led by Democracy International. These 34 recommendations have been identified as the major points of consensus among Afghan civil society organizations, international observer missions, assistance organizations, and independent election experts.

Bangladesh: EC seeks Tk 150mn for law enforcers, BD News (2011)

This article reports on the latest updates for the municipal elections in Bangladesh. The Election Commission requested as much as Tk 150 million to the Finance Ministry to engage law enforcers for the January 12 poll. The Home Ministry also invested many resources for the security on election day, and security forces were deployed in some regions.

Bangladesh: Army men deployed in 15 towns, The Daily Star (2011)

This article reports on the government's security measures during the municipal elections in Bangladesh. Army personnel was deployed in 15 municipality to support the low enforcement agencies to maintain law and order on election day. On January 12, voters in 49 municipalities cast their ballots to elect local authorities.

Canada: Party leaders target key ridings, The Globe and Mail (2011)

This article reports on the political environment in Canada. A federal elections is not officially underway, but party leaders are already discussing possible government formations and making campaign-style announcements.

Pakistan: Cabinet approves bill to ensure transparent elections, The Daily Times (2011)

This article reports on the Election Laws Amendment Bill in Pakistan. The newly-passed election bill introduces some measures to ensure security and integrity of the database of the electoral rolls.

Bangladesh: BNP favourites take lead in quiet polls, The Daily Star (2011)

This article reports on the preliminary results of the municipal election in Bangladesh. The elections were carried out peacefully and only minor incidents or irregularities was reported. So far, candidates backed by the opposition BNP won most of the seats, while ruling Awami League was not as successful.