ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Philippines: Massacre highlights need for early ARMM voting, Abs-cbn News (2009).

This article deals with statement which underscored the need to conduct early voting in hotly contested areas, particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Philippines: Filing of candidacies ends, Manila Bulletin (2009).

This article deals with the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) for national positions for the May 10, 2010 elections.

Thailand: Abhisit: Early election not ruled out, Bangkok Post (2009).

This article deals with statement that said early elections is possible within the next two years.

Myanmar: Asian Lawmakers Want Regional Powers To End Sufferings In Myanmar, Bernama (2009).

This article deals with a group of Asian lawmakers who wants Asean and India to play a constructive role to restore democracy in Myanmar.

Indonesia: Regional head elections to go on in 2010, Antara News (2009).

This article deals with Home Affairs Ministry officials who said regional head elections (Pilkada) in various parts of Indonesia in 2010 would go on based on schedules.

Thailand: PM wants charter fix before election, Bangkok Post (2009).

This article deals with Thai government’s plans to call an election after amendments to the constitution are passed by parliament.

Thailand: A Quiet Thailand Sees Security Act Dropped, The Jakarta Globe (2009).

This article deals with Thailand’s government who withdrew Internal Security Act to reduce protests by the “Red Shirt” movement who calls out for fresh elections.

India troops die in Maoist blasts, BBC News (2009)

As the second phase of voting for a new assembly begins in the Jharkhand state, Maoist rebels have already killed at least 3 Indian soldiers, and injured several people. This is despite the fact that nearly 40, 000 security forces have been deployed to maintain peace during the elections as 60% of the 4, 300 polling stations have been designated as being in high risk areas.

Jordan: Ministerial panel to revisit elections law, The Jordan Times (2009)

In the wake of King Abdullah's decision to dissolve the Parliament, Prime Minister Dahabi established a ministerial committee consisting of ministers of interior, media affairs and communications, legal affairs, parliamentary affairs and political development, that is tasked with amending the electoral law.

Guinea Conakry: January 31 election promise "impossible to keep", AFP (2009)

The chairman of the Guinea Conakry electoral commission's concerns on the electoral process echo those of many observers who believe that technically the planned presidential elections in Guinea Conakry (January 31, 2009) will not be able to take place because of a general state of unpreparedness.

Kenya MPs shun debate on tribunal bill, Daily Nation (2009)

Debate on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2009, initiated by Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara has suffered persistent interruption due to lack of quorum and has been characterised by poor debate with only a few members contributing. On two occasions, debate was interrupted and put off due to lack of quorum.

Romanian Court of Appeals overturns Nica's dismissal (SETimes.com, 2009)

Decision of the Court of Appeals on the dismissal (about 2 months ago) of Dan Nica, former minister of interior.

Romania election protests (Suomen Kuvalehti, 2009)

Hundreds of Romanians protested a newly formed political alliance in Timisoara by tearing a poster of Social Democracy party presidential candidate Mircea Geoana.

Romania's president faces poll defeat over 'child-slapping' video (Roumanie.com, 2009)

The chances of Romania's president winning a second term in office have been dealt a mortal blow by the release of a video apparently showing him hitting a ten-year-old boy.

Geoana Could Win Romanian Run-Off (Angus Reid, 2009)

Short overview on what had happened during the last months in Romania and a polling data by the National Institute for Public Opinion Studies and Marketing.

Romania: Press review - December 2 (Roumanie.com, 2009)

Romania's national dailies of Wednesday give wide coverage to December 1, Romania's National Day, celebrations; the Social Democratic Party + Conservative Party (PSD+PC) Alliance, the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Christian Democratic National Peasant Party (PNTCD) signing a cooperation pact in Timisoara; the two candidates in the presidential run-off of December 6 trading barbs; spontaneous rallies and counter-rallies in Timisoara, Bucharest and Brasov; the latest economic projections of analysts and the National Bank of Romania (BNR).

Moldovan Politicians Debate Language, Mark Romanian National Day (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2009)

For the first time in a decade, Moldovan leaders held official celebrations in Chisinau on Romania's National Day and renewed calls for closer ties between the two countries. The article deals with the background of such celebration, includes a short interview with Moldova's acting president, Mihai Ghimpu.

Ukraine's political cat-fight leaves voters cold (BBC News, 2009)

How Ukraine prepares for the first presidential elections after the Orange Revolution? Some say, the revolution was only a dream, and people do not believe that the election will change anything.

Tired, old party puts fresh face up for PM (The Budapest Times, 2009)

A few months ahead of the general elections the governing Socialists are a picture of misery. Even ardent optimists within the party are preparing for an historic election defeat. MSZP is now pinning its hopes on caucus leader Attila Mesterházy, who has only been in the job since spring.

India: 54.3% polling recorded in phase II of Jharkhand elections, The Hindu (2009)

54.3% of the 3 096 854 voters used their right to vote in the second phase of the Jharkhand elections, despite the Maoist violence that led to the death of one of the security personnel.