ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Abduction of candidates rocks Afghanistan election, The Herald Scotland (2010)

This article reports on the abduction of 19 poll workers and one candidate on the eve of the Afghan parliamentary election. Widespread intimidation seriously undermined the credibility of the elections. Furthermore, the low turnout was one of the major issue. On election day, Staffan de Mistura talked of 5-7 million votes cast, but recent reports on the Independent Election Commission reported even a lower number (3.9 million).

Afghanistan Election Data - Website

The National Democratic Institute created "a web-based compendium of security incidents, patterns of previous electoral fraud and demographic stats from across Afghanistan." Afghanistan Election Data was created to guarantee transparency and accessibility to the electoral processes in Afghanistan. Results and analysis of the 2010 elections will be available shortly, while users can already access data from the 2009, 2005 and 2004 elections.

Afghan elections: Corruption coul again thwart democracy, TIME (2010)

This article discusses the outcomes of the Afghan elections. Reports from observers and candidates describe the ruling anarchy on election day. According to the author, one unexpected consequence of the widespread reporting of corruption in the government and in the parliament is that now more people are seeking a slice of the pie.

Uganda's Museveni sued over bid for fourth term, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the legal challenge against President Yoweri Museveni in the High Court. A political rival, Maguru Ruhinda, challenged Museveni's decision to run in the next year's election, for his fourth term. Ruhinda sued Museveni and his party's secretary general for his exclusion in the primary elections.

Vote recount over - NRM party, The New Vision (2010)

This article reports on the recounts of votes for the primary elections in the NRM in Uganda. During the primaries, riots broke out among supporters of different candidates and one person died. The party's secretary general stated that no recount will be done, as the ballot boxes were not sealed and it is impossible to guarantee that the ballots have not been tampered.

Uganda: NRM poll investigators begin work, The Daily Monitor (2010)

This article reports on the team that is investigating allegations of irregularities during the primaries of the NRM, when President Museveni was elected. The team will focus on the accusations of bribery and alteration of results.

Congress to prefer youth, women candidates for Bihar assembly polls, The Economic Times (2010)

This article reports on a new trend in the Congress party in India. The Congress' Central Election Commission will meet this week to discuss and finalize the list of candidates for the Bihar assembly election. The Congress has recently invested on the youth and Muslim electorate, actively involving them in also in the party's organization.

Ukraine invites PACE monitors to assess objectivity of election campaign, Ukrainian Radio (2010)

This article reports on the Prime Minister's invitation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Ukraine. PACE is invited to assess the objectivity of the local authority election campaign in the country. The Prime Minister Mykola Azarov stated that he invited observers to monitor the elections as well, which is scheduled for October 31.

Tonga’s PSC says no resignations yet from public servants running in elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the controversy over public servants running for the November 25 elections in Tonga. A new bill, approved by the Parliament on September 13, rules that public servants must resign before running for the elections, yet the Public Service Commission has not received any resignations so far. The bill, however, has not become a law, as the King has not signed it yet, and resignations are expected to be submitted just before the deadline for the candidates' registration (October 21-22).

Solomons Electoral Commission welcomes Commonwealth feedback, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the reports of the Commonwealth on the general elections in the Solomon Islands. The Electoral Commission welcomed the report from the Commonwealth, which also offered assistance for the planned electoral reform. The Commonwealth reported that the elections were well-organized, transparent and peaceful, and concludes with a series of recommendations for reform.

Constitutional Electoral Commission of the Kingdom of Tonga

This is the link to the section of the Constitutional Electoral Commission of Tonga. It is possible to find the press releases, as well as the interim reports.

Tautua Samoa Party to campaign on citizenship issue, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Tautua Party's decision to advocate for the voting rights of overseas Samoans. This topic will probably be debated in the upcoming election campaign. The government still opposes the idea of introducing voting abroad operations claiming that Samoans overseas should not influence domestic policies.

Cook Islands parliament to dissolve this Friday, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on official start of the electoral campaign in Cook Islands. The Parliament will officially be dissolved this week, and the elections will be held on November 17th. The Cook Islands Party, one of the main ones, will release its election manifesto on the same day of the dissolution of the parliament (Friday).

Paris indicates no changes to Tahiti’s electoral system before March, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the reform to the French Polynesian electoral law. After 10 days of intensive discussion in Paris between the French minister of overseas territories and Tahiti's political leaders, the President, Gaston Tong Sang, stated that the French Assembly will not be able to discuss the reform before March. France decided that there will be no territorial elections before 2013. On the other hand, the opposition boycotted and Paris meetings and is campaigning for independence.

Philippines: Media covered 2010 polls ‘better’ than past elections — CMFR, GMA News (2010).

This article discusses statement by media watchdog regarding media coverage of 2010 Philippines elections.

Myanmar: New Coalition for Election Formed in Rangoon, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses the formation of coalition of independent candidates contesting in Myanmar November 7 elections.

Southern African bloc and UN agree to boost cooperation on peace and security issues, UN News Centre (2010)

The article reports on the agreement between SADC and the UN. Both organisations are looking to work together on issues vital to peace and security, conflict prevention, mediation and elections. Department of Political Affairs has already assigned a team that will be based in the SADC’s headquarters in Botswana, Gaborone to implement the agreement.

Namibia: Opposition Parties Yet to Wind Up Primaries, All Africa (2010)

The article reports on the preparations by parties for the upcoming primary elections. The rulling Swapo Party has has finalised it's party list while opposition parties are yet to complete.

Swedish govt sees no reason to appeal vote count, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the newly-elected center-right government's decision not to ask for a recount of the votes. A spokesperson stated that there is no reason to appeal, as the votes have been counted several times already.

Sweden Democrat leaves party after winning seat, The Local (2010)

This article reports on the resignation of a member of the Sweden Democrats from the local council. Eric Gerhardsson had been recruited at the last minute, and unexpectedly won the seat in the recent election. Mr Gerhardsson stated that he has now read the party's programme carefully, and does not agree with their ideas and he is not a racist. The party currently needs to fill in the 63 empty seats in local councils around the country.