ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

OSCE observers back Kyrgyzstan referendum, BBC (2010)

International observers have indicated that Kyrgyzstan's constitutional referendum was mostly peaceful and transparent. The constitutional reform is a stage in establishing a parliamentary system in the country.

Malaysia: EC Cannot Change Voter Address Arbitrarily – Nazri, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses Electoral Commission’s authority in the voter registration process.

Thailand to launch 6-day campaign for national reform, Xinhua News (2010).

This article discusses the launching of 6-day campaign to asses public opinion nationwide to be collated to prepare "blue print for Thailand reform".

Thailand: Upcoming by-election good litmus test for future polls, The Nation (2010).

This article discusses the start of election campaigning for political parties contesting in the Bangkok by-election.

Philippines: Comelec admits there’s ‘vast room for improvement’, Philippine Daily Inquirer (2010).

This article discusses the improvement that can be done in holding of automated elections in Philippines.

Mexico hunts candidate's killers as election violence mounts, Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2010)

This article discusses election-related violence in Mexico. In the border states, candidates for the July 4 elections are being intimidated, and one of them was even murdered. Felipe Calderon announced that the democratic institutions are under threat.

Mexican candidate killed in pre-election attack, Financial Times (2010)

This article reports on the murder of Rodolfo Torre, leading gubernatorial candidate in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Rodolfo Torre was the leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party and his murder is the highest-profile political killing in years. The state of Tamaulipas has experienced a rise in drug-related and election-related violence in the past months.

Election Commission of Pakistan invites parties to see electronic voting machines, Daily Times (2010)

This article discusses the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to invite 15 major parties for a demonstration of electronic voting machines. Five voting machines were imported from five different countries, and the ECP will test them this week.

Election Commission of Pakistan set to take action against fake degree holders, The Express Tribune (2010)

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that there will be sanctions for the parliamentarians who were able to run in the 2008 general elections with fake degrees. The ECP decided to take action against these parliamentarians as a consequence of the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Azerbaijani opposition plans mass action of protest on July 3, Azeri Report (2010)

This article discusses the opposition parties' decision to hold mass protests in Azerbaijan. The Musavat and Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, the major opposition parties, will protest on July 3, asking for respect of their freedom of assembly. The opposition has not been able to hold a single authorized rally for months.

Germany: Presidential vote will test Merkel, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article discusses the important implications of the upcoming presidential elections in Germany. On Wednesday, the government's cohesion will be tested in the presidential election in the parliament.

North Korean heir apparent 'elected', Irish Times (2010)

This article comments the 'secret' elections in South Korea. Apparently, Kim Jong-il's youngest son has been elected to the parliament from the 216 electoral district (216 is the birthday of the current leader). Observers believe that a new campaign to build a cult of personality for the Kim Jong-un son has begun.

Delayed Papua New Guinea census may impinge on election rolls, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the expected one-year-delay of the Papua New Guinea census. This delay, caused by logistical problems, could have negative influence on the legitimacy of electoral rolls and voting in the next elections.

Election campaigning underway in Solomon Islands, Radio Australia (2010)

This article reports on the election campaign in Solomon Islands. Elections will be held on August 4th, and the campaign for the 50 seats in the House has just begun.

North Korean heir apparent elected to assembly: reports, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on Kim Jong-un's secret election to the Supreme People's Assembly. The Communist Party called a convention to elect the new leader in September.

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Schmitt Elected Hungary President as Ruling Party Tightens Grip (Bloomberg Businessweek, 2010)

Pal Schmitt, a ruling party lawmaker and top sports administration official since communist times, was elected as Hungary’s next president.

Tweeters in Japan fall silent in election campaign, Hindustan Times (2010)

This article discusses the use of Twitter in the Japanese electoral campaign. In Japan, Twitter is a huge phenomenon (tweets peaked during the soccer World Cup), yet it is not playing a significant role in the campaign for the June 11 elections.

Cook Islands: Renewed diversity in nominations for Cook elections, Radio Australia (2010)

This article presents the latest updates on the Cook Island's electoral campaign. Nominations for the primary elections opened this week. Many independent candidates will be running in the September general elections.

Notorious opposition leader forms new party to run in Russian parliamentary elections, RIA Novosti (2010)

This article discusses the institution of a new party in Russia. The 'Other Russia' coalition leader, Eduard Limonov, announced that he will be running in the 2011 parliamentary elections with a new party. The Other Russia coalition has fallen apart in 2007 (when Kasyanov and Kasparov pulled out).