ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Taiwan: Candidates begin registration for mid-term elections, Focus Taiwan (2010)

This article reports on the registration procedures for candidates of the mayoral and council elections in five municipalities in Taiwan, including Taipei. Registration will end on September 17, as the elections are scheduled for November 27.

Afghan elections, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports discusses the latest updates for the elections in Afghanistan. In next Saturday's elections, 2,447 candidates will be competing for the 249 seats in the lower house. A very low voter turnout is expected, as security is a major issue. According to international experts, some improvements have been made since the last elections, but these polls are likely to be marred by electoral fraud and malpractice.

Turkey votes on new constitution, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the constitutional referendum in Turkey. On Sunday, September 12, the Turkish people voted to approve or reject a series of changes to the constitution (26 articles). Most of the changes regarded the powers and authority of the military, like the officials' accountability in front of civilian courts. According to the opinion poll, most of the people voted in favor of these reforms. Prime Minister Erdogan expressed satisfaction for the initial results. His AK Party will not concentrate on the next general elections, due next year.

Turkey's government encouraged by referendum results, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the declaration of the final results of the referendum in Turkey. In the government-supported referendum, the majority of the voters approved the changes to the Constitution. Prime Minister Erdogan was surprised by the overwhelming victory: all 26 reforms were successfully approved. The referendum touched many different topics: the military will now be under the control of civilian courts, women and trade unions' rights have been extended. The two main opposition parties criticized the reforms.

Ireland: Women's limited role in politics highlights defective system, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the discussion on the gender issue in Irish politics. Recently, two women TDs have announced their resignations, and this triggered new debates on the underrepresentation of women in the Irish Dáil. Since 1992, the percentage of women in the Dáil remained the same, halting a slow trend that started in 1977. The author outlines the history of the gender representation in Ireland, and tries to find the root causes of these issue.

Convicted Guinea election chief dies in Paris, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the death of the head of Guinea's electoral commission in Paris. Last week, Ben Sekou Sylla was convicted in absentia for electoral fraud in the first round of the presidential elections in the country (June). The second round is scheduled for Sunday, and extra security measures have been adopted after the violence outbreaks in the past days.

Anti-Immigrant Party Rises in Sweden, The New York Times (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates from the Swedish electoral campaign. Recent opinion polls show that the far-right anti-immigration Sweden Democrats might exceed the 4% threshold to enter the Parliament. In a television debate the two main candidates, Mr. Reinfeldt and Ms. Sahlin, stated that they will not work with the Sweden Democrats if they will not win an absolute majority.

Sweden: Parties struggle to entice first time voters, The Local (2010)

This article reports on the last days of the electoral campaign in Sweden. Parties and candidates are struggling to win over the young voters, which would add up to 500,000 votes. Parties pay a special attention to first-time voters, as they tend to swing quickly from one side to the other.

Guinea presidential vote hangs in balance, CNN (2010)

This article discusses the political situation in Guinea, as the second round of presidential election approaches. After the death of the head of the electoral commission and the violence in the weekend, the Sunday elections appear troublesome. The head of the EC, Ben Sekou Sylla, was convicted last week for electoral fraud for the first round of presidential elections, a sentence that triggered the violence. One of the candidates, Cellou Dalein Diallo, believes that the poll should be postponed.

Burma: Should opposition parties boycott the vote? TIME (2010)

This article discusses the main issues at stake in Myanmar's forthcoming elections. The military junta in power refused to acknowledge the results of the 1990 elections, when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a overwhelming majority of the votes. Opposition parties are currently discussing whether they should boycott the next elections. Some parties, like the National Democratic Force, see the polls as an opportunity, some others believe that protests should continue (the NLD). The regime called the elections on a very short notice, imposing a high candidate-registration fee and forbidding people in detention from running.

Burmese officials dissolve main opposition party, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the official dissolution of Burma's main opposition party. Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, was dissolved by the authorities for failing to register in the country's November elections. Four other parties were also dissolved, and now a total of 37 parties will compete.

Next Afghan vote "not perfect" but better: UN envoy, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the UN envoy in Afghanistan about the forthcoming elections. The elections, the UN diplomat stated, will not be perfect, but many improvements have been made since last year's presidential elections. The electoral campaign have been marred by security issues, and four candidates have been killed so far. The Afghan security forces announced that special measures have been implemented for the security of the elections, and that they are "completely prepared".

Afghan women join fight for election, Channel 4 News (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign of the women candidates in the Afghan elections. Despite threats and intimidations, many women decided to run for the lower house of the parliament, where a quarter of the 249 seats is reserved for women. According to the Afghan law, women candidates cannot hold political rallies, and they are forced to meet inside people's home.

Republic of Central Africa: Elections Postponed, African Bulletin (2010)

The presidential and legislative elections, which the political class and the ex-rebellion have requested their postponement "will not be held on May 16" said President Francois Bozizé, without fixing a new date.

Philippines: Comelec: Beware of voters who take too long to vote, ABS-CBN News (2010).

This article discusses Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s command conference for final preparation instructions for the polls, which includes motion studies for longest average time to vote which is 7 to 8 minutes.

Philippines: Comelec assures voters: No disenfranchisement, The Philippine Star (2010).

This article discusses accommodation for voters for the polling day in Philippines’ May elections, in which polling precincts nationwide will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Philippines: Comelec disqualifies 17 local candidates, GMA News (2010).

This article discusses Commission on Elections (Comelec) who disqualified 17 local candidates for the May 10 elections.

Philippines: Foreign observers start arriving, The Philippine Star (2010).

This article discusses foreign observers for the May 10 Philippines’ elections.

Myanmar: Supreme Court Processing NLD and Suu Kyi Lawsuits, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses the lawsuit against the government regarding Article 25 of the Political Parties Registration Law submitted to the Supreme Court by National League for Democracy.

Myanmar: PM's Party Registration May Violate Law, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses Burmese Prime Minister and his government colleagues that may be in violation of election laws stating that persons forming a political party may not hold government positions as stated in Article 4:d of the Political Parties Registration Law.