ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Tonga Democrats 'leading' in polls, Al Jazeera (2010)

This article report on the vote counting in Tonga. According to the preliminary results from the parliamentary election, the pro-democracy leader Akilisi Pohiva has emerged as the winner of the election and his party supposedly won 12 of the 17 seats at stake. More than 140 candidates were competing for 17 contested seats in parliament the parliament.

Veteran pro-democracy campaigner has major success in historic Tonga elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the first results from Tonga's historic elections. According to the results, Mr Pohiva’s Friendly Islands Democratic Party won the majority of the seats at stake (about 12 out of 17). Tonga’s nobles stated that they want the country’s new prime minister to come from the people’s representatives.

Egyptians head to polls again in parliament vote, Reuters (2012)

This news article says that Egyptians will vote Tuesday (3 December), in the third round of a parliamentary election that has so far handed Islamists the biggest share of seats in an assembly that will be central in the transition from army rule.

Libya citizens linked to Muammar Gaddafi can’t run in election: draft bill, National Post (2012)

This news article says that Libyans with ties to ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi will be banned from running in elections under a bill drafted by the country’s new rulers. It gives women 20 seats in the 200-member national assembly.

Kazakh President Rejects Term Extension Idea, RFE/RL (2011)

The article reports that Kazakhstan's president Nazarbayev has rejected the idea of extending his term of office until 2020 (he has been the Kazakh president for 20 years already). Nazarbaev's critics, however, dismissed the move as a show of democracy aimed at boosting the president's image.

Kyrgyzstan: Final Report on Parliamentary Elections, OSCE/ODIHR (2010)

In its final report on the 10 October parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, published on 20 December, ODIHR concluded that: "[the] elections constituted a further consolidation of the democratic process. Political pluralism, a vibrant campaign and confidence in the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda ... characterized the elections. The authorities displayed the political will tohold democratic elections in line with OSCE commitments. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for profound electoral legal reform." Among the priority recommendations are the revision of the Election Code; the possibility of establishing a centralized, electronic voter register; reforming the national registration systesm to ensure accurate data for the formation of voter lists; and training for members of election commissions.

South Africa: Elections manual for journalists, IOL (2011)

A local government election manual was launched yesterday for South African journalist. This will help journalists on how to cover and report on electoral matters. The manual is the result of a cooperation between the South African IEC and the Open Society Foundation for SA (OSF-SA).

Indonesia: Independent candidates win Kupang mayoral election, The Jakarta Post (2012).

This article discusses Independent Kupang mayoral candidate pair who were elected for the Kupang mayor- and deputy mayor 2012–2017 period. The pair won the second round Kupang mayoral election with 88,696 votes out of the 155,111 cast.

Philippines: Elected officials in 2013 should file expense report first, ABS CBN (2012).

This article discusses COMELEC resolution which prohibits anyone elected in the 2013 mid-term elections to assume office until their statement of election contributions and expenditures (SECE) is filed.

Philippines: Comelec sets month-long gun ban for ARMM voter listing, Business World (2012).

This article discusses a month-long gun ban for the general voter registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Philippines: Comelec plans to create special body on PCOS machines, The Philippine Star (2012).

This article discusses the plan to create special committee by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which task is to hear and address concerns of critics of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

Egypt: Islamists Claim Majority in Elections, RIA Novosti (2012)

This news article says that the Islamist Freedom and Justice Party stands to win up to 60 percent of the seats in the Egyptian parliament’s upper house, according to preliminary election results quoted by the party in a statement issued on Tuesday 31 Jan.

[···]

 

[···]

 

Finland: Early voting begins across the country, Helsingin Sanomat (2011)

The article describes the procedures for early voting in Finland. Elibigle voters can cast ballots at any polling station which are usually located in libraries and post offices.

Malaysia: Election Candidates May Be Barred From Withdrawing During Cooling-off Period, Bernama (2012).

This article discusses the regulations expected to be implemented by the Election Commission for election candidates to be barred from withdrawing their candidacy during the cooling-off period after nomination.

Viet Nam: Committee to submit report on constitutional amendments, VNA (2012).

This article discusses the report to be submitted to the National Assembly by the committee on drafting amendments to the 1992 Constitution.

UN Envoy Says Burma May Allow Election Observers, The Irrwaddy (2012).

This article discusses a statement by UN human rights envoy that Burma may let foreign observers to monitor the April by-elections. International observers were rejected in 2010 and 1990 elections.

Poll finds Americans in an anti-incumbent mood as midterm elections near, Washington Post (2010)

Members of Congress face the most anti-incumbent electorate since 1994, with less than a third of all voters saying they are inclined to support their representatives in November, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Belgian Leader Steps Aside, Early Election Ahead, CBS News (2010)

Premier Yves Leterme, whose government collapsed last week, stepped aside Wednesday, paving the way for the first woman who could become Belgium's next prime minister. Marianne Thyssen, 53, will replace Leterme and lead Belgium's long-dominant Dutch-speaking Christian Democrats into early elections, likely in June.