ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

MANNING CONFIDENT OF TRINIDAD ELECTION VICTORY, Jamaica Observer (2010)

Prime Minister Patrick Manning brushed aside suggestions that his ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) would be defeated in the May 24 general elections, saying the party would not be a statistic in the so called “winds of change” sweeping the Caribbean.

Lebanon: Baroud issues memorandum outlining municipal electoral rules, Lebanon Now (2010)

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud issued a memorandum on Wednesday—to be distributed to all polling station heads—outlining rules for the upcoming May municipal elections.

Electoral change in China on table of People's Congress, Asia News Network (2010)

China may boost representation for its vast rural population, a move expected to grant rural residents more say in deciding their own fate and the development of the country after a discussion on a draft amendment to the Electoral Law.

Hungary’s Election and Orban’s Choice (ISN ETH Zurich, 2010)

The decisive victory of Hungary’s centre-right - and the advance of the extreme right - presents the mercurial Viktor Orbán with a singular test of political character, says Anton Pelinka for openDemocracy.

Big shift in Hungary’s political landscape (The Star, 2010)

Hungary faces a second round of parliamentary elections this weekend. But voters aren’t holding their breath for the results.

Hungary will recover quicker from crisis if Fidesz gains a supermajority – PM in waiting (The Budapest Times, 2010)

A day after Fidesz’s landslide victory in the first round of the general elections, chairman and future prime minister Viktor Orbán left no doubt that he and Fidesz are aiming to achieve a two-thirds parliamentary majority in the second election round on 25 April: “The greater the unity will be, the quicker the country will recover from the crisis.”

The Troubling Rise of Hungary's Jobbik (Business Week, 2010)

Commentary: A strong showing in the recent election by the far-right, anti-Semitic, anti-Roma Jobbik party reveals a sickness at the heart of Hungarian democracy

Bakiev Insists He's Still Kyrgyzstan's President, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports about the first public comments of Kyrgyzstan's ousted leader from exile, who said he remains the legitimate president of the country and called on the international community not to recognize the interim government in Bishkek.

What's Behind Hungary's Far-Right Jobbik (Business Week, 2010)

Hungary's right-wing Jobbik party has burst into the news after its strong showing in the recent election. But its roots run deep—and aren't limited to Central Europe

Hungary: Parties prepare election night quarters (Politics.hu, 2010)

Parties to set their place to wait for the 2nd round's results.

Polish presidential election announced for June 20 (Business Day, 2010)

THE first round of Poland’s presidential elections to elect a successor to Lech Kackzynski, who was killed in a plane crash, will be held on June 20, the parliament’s press service announced today.

UNDP Libya

 

UNDP Morocco

 

UNDP Bahrain

 

Omani Ministry of Interior website (in arabic only)

 

Chinchilla Still First in Costa Rican Race, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

"Ruling Liberal National Party (PLN) candidate Laura Chinchilla is still ahead in Costa Rica’s presidential race, according to a poll by Borge & Asociados published in Diario Extra. 38.7 per cent of respondents would vote for Chinchilla, up two points since December."

Ethiopia ruling party official says May election will be credible, VOA News (2010)

The ruling Ethiopia People's Revolutionary Democratic Front has recently made a statement in which it ensures the voters that this year's May elections will be free and fair, as the party is cooperating with the opposition parties and international observers have been invited to monitor the elections. This year's poll will be the first after the 2005 disputed elections, in which about 200 opposition partisans were reportedly killed by the police.

Blast targets Sri Lanka opposition activist in Colombo, BBC News (2010)

Only a few days ahead of the presidential election, the pre-poll violence has escalated with an explosion at the home of an opposition activist and General Fonseka's ally. The blast comes after the UN has expressed concern over the escalating violence, and the groups monitoring the election campaign have remarked that the election violence and the misuse of state resources are the worst in last 20 years.

ECOWAS will help Guinea organize credible elections, says official, VOA News (2010)

The Economic Community of West African States has promised to help Guinea with organizing credible elections within the next 6 months. The promise comes after the junta named long-time opposition leader Jean-Marie Dore a prime minister of the transitional government tasked with organizing elections. An international team including ECOWAS, the African Union as well as the UN representatives will arrive in Guinea in the coming days to monitor the political situation.

Voters in Martinique, French Guiana reject efforts to reduce French control, VOA News (2010)

Voters in both Martinique and French Guiana rejected the proposal of greater autonomy from France in January referendums. Nearly 79% of the residents in Martinique and almost 70% of those in French Guiana voted against the efforts to reduce French control. The referendums come a year after Martinique and some other French overseas territories were hit by strikes and protests caused by low wages and high prices.