ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Nigeria: Differentiate between re-run, fresh elections, Delta elders urge INEC, Vanguard (2010)

This article reports on the meetings held between the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission and the Delta State Elders and traditional leaders. The leaders asked Professor Jega to explain clearly the difference between a re-run and a fresh election and to educate the people of the state regarding the upcoming election.

Nigerians in UK write Jonathan, Jega on 2011 elections, The Nigerian Tribune (2010)

This article reports on the open letter that some Nigerian citizens living in the UK have written to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The letter accused few political actors of wasting energy on small issues, rather than addressing serious national matters. According to this Nigerians living abroad, the successful conduct of the elections holds the key to the future of the country.

Nigeria: Fayemi warns of consequences of failed electoral reforms, Vanguard (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, regarding the upcoming elections. The Governor stated that if the electoral reforms will not be implemented before the 2011 poll, there could be serious consequences on the integrity of the whole electoral process. Despite the efforts of the INEC, he stated, the forthcoming general elections harbored more potential for electoral fraud and violence.

USA: Report: Black voters had mixed impact in midterm elections, USA Today (2010)

This article discusses a report published by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies on the midterm election in the United States. The report analyzes in particular the role of the votes from the African American community, who represented 10% of the electorate. In same races, the black votes were fundamental to secure a victory for the Democrats - like in Delaware, where they represent 22% of the electorate and 9 out of 10 voted for the Democratic candidate. In other races, however, the impact of the black vote could be contradictory: in Illinois, for example, the turnout was high (19%, nine percentage points higher than in 2006), but the Republican candidate won the Senate seat.

"Spoilers" trying to sabotage Haiti elections: U.N., Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the statements of the head of the U.N. mission in Haiti, Edmond Mulet, regarding the recent protests and riots. Mr Mulet stated that political agitators are behind the anti-UN attacks (originally triggered by the cholera outbreak), and that they are trying to disrupt presidential and legislative elections set for November 28. However, Mulet also stated that despite these actions by anti-democratic forces, the elections will be free and fair.

98 percent of registered voters in Cook Islands expected to vote in general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the last days before the elections in Cook Islands. According to the electoral authorities, 98% of the registered voters is expected to vote in the general elections and in the referendum to reduce the number of members of parliament. Despite some recent transportation problems, the Chief electoral officer announced that everything is now ready.

Campaigning into its last 24 hours for Cook Islands general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the last day of the electoral campaign in the Cook Islands. The two major parties, the Cook Islands Party and the Democratic Party, are making the final announcements, as no political statement can be made on Election Day. Tomorrow, Seventy candidates will be competing for the 24 seats in the parliament, with a record number of independents (16) and only nine women.

Cooks scrutineers ensure voting integrity, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision of the Electoral Officer in Cook Islands to deploy scrutineers with local knowledge to monitor the poll and avert any attempt of electoral fraud.

Cook Islands goes to the polls, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates regarding the upcoming elections in the Cook Islands. Citizens will cast their ballots to elect a new parliament (24 seats) and for a binding referendum on whether the members of the parliament should be reduced. 300 postal votes have already been received from overseas voters. A Pacific Islands Forum team of observers will monitor the voting operations.

Presidential election in Portugal, Euronews (2011)

This article discusses the main issues of the January presidential elections in Portugal. The article presents the two main candidates of the election, incumbent president Cavaco Silva and ruling party candidate Manuel Alegre.

EU urges Albania to defuse political crisis, BBC (2011)

The European Union has urged Albania's rival political leaders to restore respect for state institutions.

UN urges Haiti to end political crisis, VOA News (2011)

This article reports on the statements of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations on the political situation in Haiti. Alain LeRoy, speaking to the U.N. Security Council, called for an end to the political crisis that followed the November elections and invited the provisional electoral commission to act on the recommendations of the OAS expert mission.

Haiti under pressure to amend initial vote results, Reuters (2011)

This article reports on the international community's pressure on the Haitian authorities to accept the recommendations of the OAS expert team regarding the November elections. The team found serious malpractices, and after reviewing the results, concluded that the government-backed candidate Jude Celestin came in third and should not participate in the second round of the election. The country is now enduring a political crisis.

Indonesia: Democrats propose shrinking electoral districts, The Jakarta Post (2011).

This article discusses the proposal by the Democrat party to shrunk electoral boundaries to allocate less legislative seats. The party proposes to set the range to three to eight seats.

Philippines: Comelec Advisory Council to have stricter qualifications for members, The Philippine Star(2011).

This article discusses the qualifications of nine members of Commission on Elections Advisory Council (CAC). The members will study the automated election system (AES) for 2013 elections.

Peru's ex-president Toledo opens lead in election polls as economy booms, Bloomberg (2011)

This article reports on the latest opinion polls in Peru. The latest polls reveal that former President Alejandro Toledo is the frontrunner for the April 10 presidential elections. Mr Toledo's support has risen sharply: 27% in December, starting from only 16% in October. Keiko Fujimore, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, is also running in the election (22%), along with former Lima Mayor Luis Castaneda (19%).

Tunisian presidential candidates face tough race against Ben Ali, Magharebia (2009)

With the elections coming up soon, the presidential campaign is full of controversies.

The end of choice in Tunisia, Guardian (2009)

Even though the president promised fair elections, in reality no one can compete with Ben Ali and his Constitutional Democratic Rally.

Do elections have any meaning in Tunisia's closed political system? The Daily Star (2009)

This article provides an overview of current Tunisian electoral model, pointing out some serious flaws and factors that continue to affect the election results and ensure Ben Ali's victory.

Tunisian president in fifth win, BBC News (2009)

President Ben Ali has secured a landslide victory, gaining almost 90% of the votes, while voter turnout was as high as 84%.