ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

India: EC teams reach flashpoint areas, The Indian Express (2011)

This article reports on the Election Commission team visiting the Bengal region. The team is assessing the law and order situation ahead of the state Assembly elections, and as a consequence of episodes of election-related violence.

Afghan official expects court to void election, The New York Times (2011)

This article reports on the ongoing assessment of the September elections in Afghanistan by a special court. Mohammed Ishaq Aloko, the attorney general, commented on the possibility to delay the inauguration of the Afghan parliament, and invited the special court to release its findings by Tuesday.

Malaysia: Political Parties Race To Register New And Young Voters, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses political parties which are to register eligible voters for 2013 general elections.

Myanmar: Political Parties Want to Educate the Public, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses participation of registered political parties for educating people on political process.

Myanmar elections mute ethnic voices, Asia Times Online (2010).

This article discusses pre-election situation for ethnic based political parties in Myanmar ahead of the 2010 elections.

Indonesia: Polling Official to Face Ethics Panel Over ‘Violations’, The Jakarta Globe (2010).

This article discusses members of the Electoral Management Body (KPU)’s ethics board who are to meet to discusses violation conducted by a KPU commissioner.

Philippines: Poll spending reports: Most candidates lied, The Philippine Star (2010).

This article discusses the statement by Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman with regards to the national and local candidates statements of contribution and expenditures for the May 2010 elections.

Philippnes: It's final: SK, barangay polls to go manual with P3.2-B budget, GMA News (2010).

This article discusses Commission on Elections (Comelec) ‘s decision to go manual for voting operations in Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

November polls for Haiti, Aljazeera (2010)

This article discusses President Preval's decision to set a final date for the next elections. The President of Haiti, pressured by the international community, finally announced that the country will go the polls on November 28. The Presidential term should end in February.

Préval issues election mandate, Miami Herald (2010)

This article presents the Provisional Electoral Council's (CEP) mandate for the next presidential elections. The CEP has been involved in some controversies, especially in the nomination process. President Préval, however, denied accusations pointing to the CEP success in the 2009 senatorial elections.

Guinea holds first democratic poll since independence, BBC (2010)

This article includes a brief summary of Guinea's history since independence and the mostly calm events of election day. Poll hours were extended to accommodate the large turnout.

Pakistan: 'Direct election for president', The Express Tribune (2010)

The Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, called for an electoral reform introducing direct election of the President, who would have to gain 50% of the votes.

No new election to be called in Nauru, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the latest updates for the Nauru political impasse. Caretaker President Marcus Stephen announced that he will not call another election without constitutional amendments to revise the electoral law. The June 19 elections produced yet another split parliament.

Ireland: Fine Gael embolded by poll findings, Irish Times (2010)

This article discusses the latest opinion poll in Ireland. According to the poll, released on June 27, Fine Gael is the most popular party with 33% of the votes, while the Labour party would be the second (27%) and Fianna Fáil the third (24%). The Green Party would only win 2% of the votes.

Merkel's conservatives lose backing in Germany, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents the latest opinion poll in Germany. The ruling allied parties are losing percentage points over the opposition, the poll showed. If elections took place, the Christian Democratic Union would gain 33% of the votes, The Social Democratic Party 31%, and the Green Party 15%.

USA: New ballot machines are flawed, suit says, The New York Times (2010)

Thia article reports on a recent issue involving e-voting machines in the state of New York. Advocacy groups filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Elections, claiming that the machines language is confusing (especially for minorities) and that their design could subvert the whole election process. The controversy revolves around the unclear error messages that appear if a voter accidentally pick too many candidates ("overvoting").

North Korea set to choose new leader, Irish Times (2010)

The Workers' Party convention will hold a special convention in September to choose a new leader. Kim Jong-il's son, Jong-un, is the most likely successor.

New Zealand: Election expenses a human rights issue - candidate, Voxy (2010)

This article reports on a controversy that involved Anthony Ravlich, a general election candidate of the Human Rights Party in Auckland. Mr Ravlich did not submit his campaign expenses, as required by the Electoral Finance Act, because the Government did not fund adequately the Human Rights Commission. Ravlich is currently facing charges in front of the High Court in Auckland.

Constitutional Referendum Passes in Kyrgyzstan, The New York Times (2010)

Preliminary results indicate that the constitutional referendum to establish a parliamentary system has passed with more than ninety percent of the vote.

Kyrgyzstan Adopts New Constitution, VOA (2010)

Initial results from a referendum on constitutional reform indicates that about ninety percent have supported the change which would establish a parliamentary system. There have been some concerns that the vote of the system could lead to ethnic violence.