ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Niger election marks return to civilian rule amid kidnappings, Bloomberg (2011)

This article, dated January 28, discusses the importance of the January elections in Niger. Voters cast their ballots to elect a new president and a new parliament, which will mark the country's return to civilian rule.

Niger election: Issoufou to face Oumarou in run-off, BBC News (2011)

This article reports on the preliminary results of the January 31 election in Niger. Veteran opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou will face ex-Prime Minister Seini Oumarou in the run-off election. The president's power and number of terms in office were limited by the constitutional changes approved by the October referendum.

Pakistan: ECP starts to prepare Electoral Rolls in collaboration with NADRA, Associated Press of Pakistan (2011)

The article states that the Election Commision of Pakistan starts preparing electoral rolls in collaboration with NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority). Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Hamid Ali Mirza said that ground work for preparation should start immediately.

Ecowas, EU say Niger elections satisfactory, AllAfrica (2011)

This article reports on the initial statements of the ECOWAS and EU election observers who monitored the Monday's elections in Niger. The observers expressed satisfaction with the management and conduct of the poll. Despite some difficulties during the voting operations, they stated, the he freedom of expression and movement of all candidates was respected.

Pakistan: PML-N wants new election commissioner, The News International (2011)

The article discusses the reorganisation of the Election Commission of Pakistan. PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League) has demanded the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner to achieve an independent and impartial election commission.

Profile: New Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, BBC News (2011)

The article introduces the new Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal who is the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). He won a clear majority in the parliament with the support of the Maoist party. The main task of the new PM and the parliament is now to draft the new constitution for Nepal before the deadline of 28 May.

UK may be forced to give prisoners the vote in time for May elections, The Guardian (2011)

The article discusses the suffrage in the UK. In response to the European court of human rights ruling the government is suggesting to give the vote to all prisoners serving less than four years. The government has proposed that the right to vote will be restricted to parliamentary and European parliament elections only which is the minimum required by law.

Strongman wins Central African Republic election, The Washington Post (2011)

This article reports on the results of the elections in Central African Republic. The country's strongman, President Francois Bozize, easily won the January election with 66% of the votes, while his main opponent Former president Ange-Felix Patasse received 20% of the votes. President Bozize overthrew Patasse in a coup in 2003.

Central African Republic candidates say poll rigged, Reuters (2011)

This article reports on the controversies surrounding the elections in Central Africa Republic. The loosing presidential candidates denounced widespread electoral fraud, ballot-stuffing and irregularities. On Saturday, right after the partial results were released, the opposition candidates decided to pull their representatives off the election body in protest. The European Delegation in the country also talked about "imperfections and irregularities".

Central African Republic president re-elected, VOA News (2011)

This article discusses the main issues and controversies surrounding the winning candidate in the presidential poll in Central African Republic. Provisional results show that President Bozize, who came to power in a 2003 coup, received 66% of the votes cast. The voter turnout was over 54%.

Haiti praised over election decision, The Jamaica Observer (2011)

This article reports on the reactions of the international community regarding Haiti's decision to write off Jude Celestin from the presidential runoff. After a week-long political impasse, all international actors praised this decision and congratulated the two winning candidates, who will not compete in the second round.

Haiti panel announces candidates for runoff presidential election, The Washington Post (2011)

This article reports on the announcement of the election officials regarding the runoff presidential election. Many weeks after the elections, the Electoral Council decided to push candidate Jude Celestin out of the electoral race: Michel Martelly will be the one competing against Mirlande Manigat in the second round.

Haiti's decision, The Miami Herald (2011)

This article discusses the possible consequences of the decision of the Provisional Electoral Council in Haiti to settle the electoral dispute over the presidential poll. The author argues that the runoff selection will allow the country to move forward, and also to put the country on the same page as the intentional community. With a credible, legitimate government, the country will be able to move on with the long-delayed recovery.

A glimpse at Guatemala’s election panorama 2011, The Guatemala Times (2011)

 

Honduras: FNRP Votes to Become a Political Party, Honduras Weekly (2011)

 

Algerian Islamist warns against Electoral fraud, ABC (2012)

This news article says that Algeria will witness a "social explosion" if the May legislative election is marred by fraud, an Islamist leader warned Tuesday.

Jordan's king appoints new PM after protests, Reuters (2011)

In this news article; King Abdullah of Jordan, a close U.S. ally, replaced his prime minister on Tuesday following protests inspired by mass demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt, but the opposition dismissed the move as insufficient.

Egypt: Alexandria protests escalate as Mubarak supporters take to streets, The Guardian (2011)

In this news article; supporters of President Hosni Mubarak are staging a furious counter-demonstration in the Alexandria square that has been the scene of protests for nine days, sparking violent arguments and altercations between rival groups.

Violence in Egypt as foes, supporters of Hosni Mubarak clash, Los Angeles Times (2011)

In this news article; fighting erupts in Tahrir Square as anti-government demonstrators and supporters of President Hosni Mubarak throw rocks and brandish clubs. The clashes follow a call by the Egyptian military for protesters to go home.

Europe leaders call for faster transition in Egypt, New York Times (2011)

This news article is about the reacting to the announcement by President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt that, while he would not seek another term as president, he nonetheless intended to remain in office until the presidential election scheduled for September; European leaders called for a faster transition of power to stabilize the country. Here are excerpts of their statements, compiled from news agency reports.