ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Iran: Supreme Leader expresses election caution, Payvand Iran News (2011)

The article discusses the declaration of Ayatollah Khamenei on next March’s elections. According to the Supreme Leader, the legislative scrutiny should not undermine Iran’s state security. He urges all Iranian citizens to ‘’guard the elections’’ and ‘’defend’’ Iran against conspiracies.

Taiwan: Chen Chih-chung to run in election, Taipei Times (2011)

Chen Chih-chung, a former independent Kaohsiung district councilor, announced that he would take part in the legislative elections in January. His participation was not certain since he was recently found guilty of perjury by the Supreme Court of Justice and sentenced to 3 months of prison. Chih-chung argues his sentence was set because of political reasons.

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OAS, Guyana sign election observer agreement, Demerara Waves, (2011)

The article reports that the Organization of American States (OAS) will deploy an electoral observation mission in Guyana during the next legislative elections that are expected to be held in the end of November or in early December 2011. This was made official when the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the OAS, Ambassador Bayney R. Karran and the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza signed the mission agreement in the OAS central office in Washington, DC.

Zambia: President Rupiah Banda refutes Sata’s election date, Lusaka Times (2011)

The article discusses claims by PF leader, Michael Sata that Zambia elections will be held on the 1st April 2011. In his response, President Rupiah Banda stated that the country will not hold its tripartite elections on the said date. The President sited the ongoing voter registration and unsatisfying number of registered voters in some provinces as the delay in setting the election date.

Canada: Online voting coming to B.C. cities as early as fall, The Vancouver Sun (2011)

This article reports on the possibility of introducing Internet voting in British Columbia, Canada. The two biggest cities in the state, Vancouver and Surrey, are looking into online voting. The electoral authorities believe that a pilot project could be launched as soon as November. In the state, the average municipal voter turnout is just 35%, and supporters of this pilot project argue that Internet voting would improve the voter turnout.

Haiti: First an earthquake, then a fraudulent election, The Wall Street Journal (2011)

This article, written by diplomat and former Haitian ambassador in the US, discusses the many challenges and issues that Haiti had to face in the past year since the earthquake. The author was disqualified as a candidate by the Provisional Electoral Council, and this decision - he argues - has no specific legal or technical justification. According to the author, it is too important for Haiti and its reconstruction to have a representative and legitimate government, and the country should therefore be hold new elections.

International monitors to recommend elimination of presidential candidate in Haiti runoff election, VOA News (2011)

This article discusses the conclusions of the report from the Organization of American States. The document is not public yet, but the conclusions probably recommend to eliminate the government-backed presidential candidate, Jude Celestine, from the runoff election. After news of this leaked report, demonstrators gathered in the streets of Port au Prince to demand the resignation of the Election Commission.

Côte d'Ivoire:Gbagbo Aide Calls Lethal Ivorian Clashes “Regrettable” Voanews (2011)

The confrontation in Abobo, a pro-Ouattara neighborhood, in which five people were dead and many more injured was considered “regrettable " by Mr. Laurent Gbagbo’ aide.

Denmark: Nationalist party's influence waning in Denmark, The Associated Press (2011)

The article discusses the consequences of a possible loss by the Liberal-Conservative minority coalition on parliamentary dynamics. If the leftwing coalition wins the elections, the Danish People's Party, known for its nationalistic and anti-immigration policies, would lose its political leverage.

India: Anna Hazare to seek electoral reforms, The Hindu (2011)

The article discusses Anna Hazare’s electoral reforms propositions to the government of India. Hazare advocates for the right of citizens to recall their elected leaders and the introduction of a ‘’none of the above’’ option on electronic voting machines.

Upcoming and past elections

 

UNDP Kuwait

 

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Indonesia: South Tangerang to select poll commissioners, The Jakarta Post (2010).

This article discusses the South Tangerang municipal administration that plans to set up committee to select members of the city’s regional elections commission (KPUD).

Indonesia: Rise of Family Political Dynasties in Regional Elections Threaten Indonesian Democracy: Analyst, The Jakarta Globe (2010).

This article discusses Indonesia family political dynasties to continue as candidates in regional elections.

Malaysia: Media Centre Opens For Hulu Selangor By-election, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses the establishment of a media centre to help media members cover the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Thai protesters settle into city centre, BBC News (2010).

This article discusses anti-government protesters who settled in the commercial heart of Bangkok, Thailand.

Philippines' election results to be known within 3 days, poll spokesman says, GMA News (2010).

This article discusses the counting of election result that will be known within three days of polling for Philippines' automated presidential election .

Malaysia: May 16 For Polling In Sibu By-Election, Nomination On May 8, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses the nomination for Sibu parliamentary by-election on May 8 and polling on May 16, 2010.