ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Guinea Poll Peaceful; Voter Turnout High, VOA (2010)

There was high voter turnout in Guinea's first free and fair elections since it gained independence in 1958. The results will not be known until Wednesday at the earliest. If necessary a run-off election is scheduled for July 18.

Hungary: Fidesz government plans said to threaten election body's independence (Politics.hu, 2010)

Hungary's Fidesz centre-right government is planning measures which could end up compromising the independence of the body which oversees and adjudicates the country's national and local plebiscites, Nepszabadsag daily said on Monday.

Hungary: Fidesz maintains wide voter support, Politics.hu (2010)

The proportion of undecided voters in Hungary has risen since the April elections, while the governing Fidesz party and its election ally Christian Democrats are still in high favour of the electorate, a poll by Tarki said on Thursday.

Observers say breakaway Somali region vote was fair, Reuters Africa (2010)

Observers have indicated that presidential elections were free and fair in Somaliland, the self-governing, but unrecognized region of Somalia.

Critics say proposed Hungarian media reform stifles press freedom (Deutsche Welle, 2010)

Twenty years after its first post-Cold War democratic elections, Hungary's government has proposed new media laws that critics say puts the country's press freedom once again under threat.

Hungary changes public media's role under constitution (Earth Times, 2010)

The Hungarian Parliament late Monday passed changes to the country's constitutional law regarding media.

Zambia: Parties eye by-elections, Lusaka Times (2010)

Parties are preparation for two parliamentary by-elections in Chifubu and Luena.

Zambia: Don't Listen to Unrealistic Promises, Advises Kunda, All Africa (2010)

Electoral campaigns are underway throughout the country.

Angola: Ministry to share voter's registration with provincial governments, ANGOP (2010)

Government ministry to share voter registration tasks with provincial governments.

Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai reshuffles MDC posts in Cabinet, Mail & Guardian (2010)

Leader of the opposition party in Zimbabwe reshuffle party leaders in parliament.

Poland's Komorowski keeps lead in election race (Reuters, 2010)

Acting President Bronislaw Komorowski leads Jaroslaw Kaczynski by 11 percentage points ahead of a July 4 presidential run-off election, an opinion poll showed on Saturday.

Poland: Komorowski in the lead (Itar Tass, 2010)

A week before the second round of the presidential elections in Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, speaker of the Polish parliament (Sejm) and acting president of the republic, continues to be in the lead, as the ratings show.

Kwasniewski to vote for Komorowski (thenews.pl, 2010)

Poland’s only head of state to win two elections in a row (1995-2005) since 1989 – has come out unambiguously for Bronislaw Komorowski in the second round of presidential elections this Sunday.

Komorowski ahead, but not by much (The Economist, 2010)

POLES like Jarosław Kaczyński more than they like to admit. Exit polls (link in Polish) last night underestimated the numbers who voted for the bereaved twin brother of the late president in the first round of Polish presidential elections They showed the centrist candidate Bronisław Komorowski, on 45.7%, with Mr Kaczyński on 33.2%. But with nearly 95% of votes cast, it became clear early this morning that the real gap (sorry, link also in Polish) was just 4.5%, putting Mr Kaczyński with 36.7% back in the race, behind Mr Komorowski with 41.2%. Turnout was a higher than expected 54.85%.

Shortfalls could undermine Guinea vote: observers, Reuters Africa (2010)

Observers from the Carter Center have expressed concern that shortcomings in the administration of the vote and vote counting could undermine the Guinea presidential election.

Party of Guinean contender voices poll complaints, Reuters Africa (2010)

Observers of Sunday's presidential election in Guinea have so far indicated that they are pleased with the conduct of the polls, but one of the major contenders has expressed discontent with delays in vote counting. Some have expressed concern over the amount of time it is taking to count the votes.

Polls farcical, Burundi told, The Citizen (2010)

Votes continue to be counted in the presidential election that had only one candidate. Voter turnout was low and there have been accusations of voter-intimidation. The opposition parties boycotted the election in protest of alleged irregularities in the May municipal elections.

Voters trickle to polling booths in Burundi's presidential election, Afrique en ligne (2010)

The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has asked journalists to stop reporting on the election to eliminate any influence on voters. Turnout has been low as the opposition is boycotting the election. current president Pierre Nkurunziza is the only candidate.

Jordan:University students weighing options for upcoming elections, The Jordan Times (2010)

Registration stations have been set up at state universities in Jordan to encourage students to register ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The student union at the University of Jordan will also have further student voter education programmes ahead of the vote.

Malaysia: Local Government Takes Disciplinary Actions Against 48 For Election Campaign Activities, Bernama (2010).

This article discusses diciplinary actions on 48 public servants for June 2 local elections illegal campaign activities.