ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Montenegro Ruling Party Plans Early General Election, Balkan Insight (2012)

Montenegro’s leading party announced that they decided to initiate the procedures for early parliamentary elections in order to have full term government to deal with EU accession process.

Under pressure, Romanian ruling party backtracks on referendum, Reuters (2012)

Interim President of Romania approved the law, which reinstates the minimum threshold of participation in referendum of 50 percent of electorate plus 1, for the referendum to become valid. The reinstatement of the law increases the probabilities of suspended president Basescu to withstand the upcoming impeachment.

Egypt: Court ruling suspending parliamentary polls draws mixed reactions, Ahram Online (2013)

Presidency vows to respect Administrative Court ruling suspending upcoming parliamentary polls; Opposition NSF sees decision as vindication of its calls to boycott electoral contest. Details in the source link below.

Lithuanian Seimas discusses referendum on new NPP, baltictimes (2012)

Lithuanian Parliament approved of a draft resolution to call a consultative referendum on construction of a new Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania. Referendum is proposed to be held at the same time as the parliamentary elections.

Egypt election: results show Islamists taking two thirds of seats , The Telegraph (2012)

This news article says that the Muslim Brotherhood won by far the biggest share of seats allocated to party lists, final results confirmed, giving it a major role in drafting the country's new constitution. The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has promised all Egyptians will have a voice in the new parliament, but Islamists are now set to wield major influence over a new constitution to be drafted by a 100-strong body parliament will help pick. Under a complex electoral system, two thirds or 332 of the seats in lower house are decided by proportional representation on closed party lists. The other third are contested by individual candidates.

Syria: Arabs to call for unity government, elections: draft , Reuters (2012)

Arab League foreign ministers were voting on Sunday 22 Jan, on draft recommendations to end violence in Syria and create a unity government within two months to prepare for early parliamentary and presidential elections.

Palestine: Elections could be cancelled , Gulf News (2012)

The Palestinian National Authority is mulling whether to cancel presidential and parliamentary elections slated for May 4. It says that Hamas is failing to adhere to reconciliation commitments.

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Egypt speeds preparation for presidential vote, Boston Globe (2012)

This news article says that Egypt's military leader told electoral officials Monday (6 Feb) to speed preparations for presidential elections after a new eruption of street protests. Nominations for president would be accepted March 10, a month earlier than the original date. No date for elections were given, but it was an indication that the vote may be held about a month ahead of schedule.

Constitutional Court deems joint elections in Romania unconstitutional, romania-insider (2012)

According to the Constitutional Court of Romania, the new legislation enabling joint local and parliamentary elections in 2012 does not follow the country’s Constitution. The Parliament will have to amend the unconstitutional parts of the legislation.

Russia Criticizes EU's Foreign Policy Chief for 'Interfering', Voice of America (2012)

The president of the European Commission for International Relations and Security Policy of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, criticized the absence of certain candidates in the polls in Russia. The official spokesman for Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich advised the president not to interfere into internal affairs.

Anti-Putin protests in Russia show no signs of slowing down, National post (2012)

Anti-Putin protests in Russia continue. The next big protest is expected to be before the presidential election. Opinion polls show Vladimir Putin remains Russia’s most popular politician.

Putin: Russia must "renew democracy", but not hastily, Money control (2012)

Facing the biggest opposition protests, Vladimir Putin acknowledged that many Russians want a stronger voice. Vladimir Putin says: "we need to renew the mechanisms of our democracy”.

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Singapore: Registers of electors to be updated, Channel News Asia (2012).

This article discusses the updating of registers of electors by the Elections Department of Singapore. The list of electors' names to be removed or transferred will be available at the Elections Department, the ELD website, or at any community centres or community clubs.

Malaysia urged to roll out reforms before polls, Channel News Asia (2012).

This article discusses the call out to hold off polls in Malaysia until reforms have been implemented. The coalition of NGOs demand the election commission to clean up the electoral roll after a government report showed thousands of cases of multiple voters being registered under the same addresses.

Myanmar's NLD party appeals against by-election delay in constituencies, Xinhua (2012).

This article discusses the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s appeal to the government and the Union Election Commission that it would negotiate with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) to make possible the by-elections to be held as scheduled. Myanmar's union commission announced putting off April 1 by-elections in three constituencies in Kachin state due to security concerns.

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Ireland: Cowen stays as leader of Ireland; challenger Martin resigns, Bloomberg (2011)

This article reports on the passing of a vote of confidence among the Fianna Fail lawmakers to support Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. His opponent, Foreign Minister Micheal Martin resigned right after the vote. Cowen will now draft a timetable for the passing of the Financial Bills, and then he will meet the Green Party leader to discuss a possible new date for the next elections.

Ireland: Blow for Fine Gael as long-serving TD stands down, The Irish Independent (2011)

This article discusses the resignation of Bernard Allen, long-established TD representing Fine Gael. Mr Allen announced his sudden retirement, motivated by health-related reasons. Mr Allen has been re-elected in Cork North Central district since 1981, and Fine Gael will not face serious difficulties in winning that seat.