ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Supporters of Bailout Claim Victory in Greek Election, New York Times (2012)

Greek voters on Sunday gave a narrow victory in parliamentary elections to pro-bailout New Democracy party over far-left Syriza. The vote was widely seen as a last chance for Greece to remain in the euro zone. This election comes after failed efforts to form a coalition following the election last month.

Greece's New Democracy seeks bailout coalition, Reuters (2012)

The New Democracy party begins talks to form a pro-bailout governing coalition. The new coalition will implement austerity measures in the near-bankrupt Greek economy while addressing rising social tensions.

Liberia: Elections 2011 Daily News Review AllAfrica (2011)

Couple of weeks before the referendum, many political parties are pleading for the population to go vote. In fact the opposition is asking to boycott the referendum that they are considering unconstitutional, the members of the commission are to just vote no, and that boycotting the referendum would not be fair.

Ghana: Les détenus vont voter en 2012 Afrique en Ligne (2011)

Au Ghana, pour les prochaines élections législatives et présidentielles de 2012, les détenus auront le droit de voter selon la constitution. Cette décision a été prise par le Président de la République M. John Evans Atta Mills lors de l’inauguration de la nouvelle prison à Cape Coast.

Chad election begins, The Independent Online (2011)

This article reports on the Election Day in Chad. On Sunday, Chadians went to the polls for the first election in nine years. This election was seen as an important test for the opposition's strength: the main opposition party the Federation Action for the Republic and other 100 small parties competed with the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement, led by strongman Idriss Deby.

Chad election given thumbs-up despite delays, Reuters (2011)

This article reports on the elections in Chad. The country held its first parliamentary election in almost a decade, and the poll went ahead smoothly and peacefully. The next poll is scheduled for April, and voters will elect a new president: strongman President Idriss Deby, in power since a 1990 coup, is widely expected to win.

Tension, uncertainty as Uganda prepares for election, VOA News (2011)

This article reports on the political situation in Uganda. According to the reporter, the general environment surrounding the upcoming elections is tense. After having defeated all of his electoral challengers since 1996, president Museveni will face his toughest competition yet. The president's most serious challenges appears to be Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye, who also ran in 2001 and 2006, and his Inter-Party Coalition.

Timeline - Ugandan presidential elections, Reuters (2011)

This article presents a clear time-line of the presidential elections in Uganda in the last 30 years. The next presidential will be held on February 18, on the same day as the parliamentary.

USA: How early voting is changing elections, NPR (2010)

This article discusses the effects of early voting in the electoral process. In more than 30 states, voters are already casting their ballots and this influences the voters choices' as well as the whole electoral campaign. In many counties, the number of absentee ballots has reached unprecedented levels. According to the director of the Early Voting Information Center at Oregon's Reed College, Paul Gronke, early voting is a vital tool for mobilizing voters and monitoring turnout.

USA: Absentee ballots mailed late to overseas voters, ABC News (2010)

This article reports on the Justice Department's pressures on many states for missing the deadline to ballots to overseas voters (September 18). The federal government sued elections officials in New York, New Mexico and Nevada for the delays, and allowed voters from overseas (mostly military personnel serving abroad) more time to return ballots.

Nigeria: We need to prosecute election riggers, says Mimiko, NEXT (2010)

This article reports on the preparations for the 2011 poll in Nigeria. The author expresses his trust and confidence towards the ability of the head of the INEC, Professor Jega, to conduct of fair and free elections, but reaffirms the need to prosecute the people responsible for electoral malpractices.

Afghanistan's election panel disqualifies 10 percent of ballots, CNN (2010)

The Afghan Independent Election Commission reported on Monday that 10 per cent of votes cast in the parliamentary elections last month have been disqualified due to fraud. As investigation of fraud is still carrying on, the commission has delayed its announcement of preliminary results until Wednesday.

Guam: Voting registration deadline is 10/22, KUAM News (2010)

Constituents in Guam can register to vote until October 22, the Guam Election Commission just announced. So far nearly 1,700 registered voters have taken part in the early voting.

USA: Ad tells Latinos not to vote in congressional elections, The Washington Independent (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign aimed at the Latino minority in the United States. Latinos for Reform published two ads inviting people to vote for state and local elections, but not for congressional candidates. According to the group, this would be a good way to demand action on the immigration reform.

As elections loom, how will Haiti react? The Miami Herald (2010)

This article reports on the launching of the electoral campaign in Haiti. The latest opinion poll show that there are two front-runners in the presidential race: President René Préval's protégé, Jude Célestin, and Mirlande Manigat, a twice-exiled former first lady. According to the author, however, it is difficult to predict how the people's frustrations and disappointments will influence the outcomes of the vote.

Haiti voter beware, Newsweek (2010)

This article discusses the situation of the 1.3 million displaced voters in Haiti. In the November 28 elections, there are still major logistical challenges to overcome - like removing the 230,000 dead citizens from the voters register.

Haiti's outgoing leader urges voters to support stability and continuity in upcoming elections, The Miami Herald (2010)

This article reports on President Préval's appeal to all voters in Haiti. During the ceremony for the 204th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines (founding father of the nation), the President asked Haitians to vote for stability and continuity. On November 28, 19 candidates are running to become president, while 900 candidates will run for the 110-seats parliament.

Stringent Measures for Fair Bahrain Elections, Bahrain News Agency(2010)

This news is on Senior Bahraini judge and member of the country’s Elections Supreme Committee, who reiterated today, the stringent measures put in place to ensure the elections run fairly and securely as overseas voters went to the polls in Bahrain Embassies and Consulates around the world.

Azerbaijan: Opposition 'to be removed' from political arena, News.az (2010)

The article writes that after November 7 parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, the opposition will be further weakened and may soon disappear from the political arena.

Georgia: Key Points of Newly Adopted Constitution, Civil.Ge (2010)

The article rights about important points in the newly adopted constitution of Geogia, among them: Prime Minister/Government, Non-Confidence Vote, President, Parliament, and Other provision.