ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Botswana: BDP could expel Tonota north ballot fiddler – Tafa, Mmegi (2010)

Party member to face disciplinary actions.

Botswana: Another BDP MP defects to BMD, Mmegi (2010)

Party member defects to another party

Zambia: Election Violence Could Mean Fewer Women Participants, All Africa (2010)

Election-related violence starting to raise conserns.

No politics for M'sian students, The Straits Times (2010).

This article discusses the prohibitions for students to be involved actively in political parties in Malaysia.

Namibia: Prepare Poll Officers Very Well, All Africa (2010)

Electoral Commission to recruit suitable poll staff.

Indonesia: Court, Police Pave Way for Electoral Expediency, The Jakarta Globe (2010).

This article discusses the agreement between The Constitutional Court and the National Police which is expected to aid in resolving electoral disputes.

Burma democracy party complains of intimidation, Bangkok Post (2010).

This article discusses complaints by pro-democracy party in Burma regarding intimidation by security personnel.

Namibia: RDP Aborts Coalition, All Africa (2010)

RDP pulling out of the coalition talks.

South Africa: Mantashe on ANC campaign trail in Western Cape, SABC News (2010)

ANC campaigns in the Western Cape province

Madagascar government, minor parties agree new poll dates, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the government of Madagascar's decision to set the election date in accordance with minor political parties. The opposition parties, however, were not consulted. President Andry Rajoelina, who ousted President Ravalomanana with the army's assistance, have agreed to hold presidential elections in July 2011, and legislative elections in April of the same year. A constitutional referendum will take place later this year (in November 2010).

Unrest is undermining hopes for Afghan vote, The New York Times (2010)

This article reports on the latest events in preparation for the elections in Afghanistan. Elections are coming up, but the process is seriously undermined by the rising violence. There will be no free and fair elections is security is not guaranteed in the polling stations, as there will be many opportunities for fraud.

Australia: Major parties missing the mark with young voters, ABC News (2010)

This article discusses the influence of young votes (under the age of 25) in Australia. The High Court recently ruled that anyone who was seven days late with their enrollment will now be able to vote (this ruling changed some parts of the Electoral Law). This sentence will allow 100,000 more people to vote, and most of them are young voters, a group that has not being targeted by the two major parties in the campaign.

Ireland: Gender quotas end up perverting democratic choice, The Irish Times (2010)

This article discusses the principles of mandatory gender quotas. In Ireland, a report showed that women are strongly underrepresented in the Parliament (both in the Dáil and in the Senate) and suggested the introduction of mandatory gender quotas for political parties. According to this article good intentions would translate into a mess in practice.

Solomon Islands Electoral Commission denies corruption claims, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission's response against accusations of corruption. Two defeated MPs denounced the improper registration process, which let people vote more than once. Supposedly, the Commission has no power to remove double registrations and the names of voters who passed away. The Commission replied that 400 international observers monitored the reported on this issue, but they did not consider this elections unfair.

Tuvalu Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow ahead of elections in five weeks, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the preparations of the upcoming elections in Tuvalu. The Parliament was dissolved, in preparation for the September 16 elections. Registration begins on August 28th and then candidates will start campaigning for the 15 seats in the Parliament.

Former Solomons MP says vote-buying happening in government negotiations, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the coalition talks in Solomon Islands. Former politician denounced "votebuying" and "horsetrading" that are supposedly taking place in the negotiations to form the government.

Australians in Outback cast first votes in cliffhanger national election, The Telegraph (2010)

This article reports on the first voting operations in Australia. Voters in the country's Outback will be able to cast their first votes on Thursday (August 12). New opinion polls show that this will be a very difficult elections for both parties: Julia Gillard is supported by 50.1% of the people interviewed, while Tony Abbott by 49.9%.

Poll: Old Czech parties have mostly loyal voters, new parties not (Prague Daily Monitor, 2010)

Prague, July 19 (CTK) - The three traditional Czech parties (ODS, CSSD, KSCM) were supported by voters with strong ties to their party but the two new parties in parliament (TOP 09, VV) won votes also from many citizens who have a loose relation to their party, according to a STEM poll released to CTK Mondy.

TOP 09 most popular party, followed by CSSD, ODS - Internet poll (ČeskéNoviny.cz , 2010)

The conservative TOP 09 is the most popular Czech party with support from 22.8 percent of citizens, closely followed by the Social Democrats (CSSD; 22.6 percent) and the right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS; 21.1 percent), according to an Internet poll by SANEP agency released today.

Czech government ignoring regions - CSSD (ČeskéNoviny.cz , 2010)

The coalition agreement of the center-right government seems to indicate that the government is scornful of the regional authorities, Michal Hasek (Social Democrats, CSSD), chairman of the Association of Czech Regions and South Moravian regional governor, said today.