ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Angola: Electoral registration faces constraints, ANGOP (2012)

It is reported that the second phase of registering and voter updating has challenges. The phase started on January 5.

India: Election Commission may reduce minimum voting age to 16, The Indian Express (2011)

This article reports on the Election Commission's statement regarding the voting age in India. The EC stated that it is examining a proposal to reduce the minimum age for voting to 16. The Chief of the Election Commission, Y S Quraishi, met with representatives from the Youth United for Voter Awareness and pointed at the importance of allowing more young people to participate in the elections. Currently, he explained, the youth represent 35% of the Indian electorate but they participation is still very low.

India: Technology to stop EVM manipulation, The Times of India (2011)

This article reports on the Election Commission's statements regarding the Electronic Voting Machines in India. The EC said that it is working on improving the EVMs by introducing a technology through which a printout can be generated after every vote cast. The Chief Election Commissioner stated that political parties have already been consulted on this matter, and that an expert is working on it.

India: Special functions to enrol new voters: Poll panel, Sify (2011)

This article reports on the Election Commission's presentation of the new measures to involve young voters in India. On January 25 (National Voters Day), the EC will launch a new initiative across the country with the goal of enrolling 20 million young voters and issuing their voter identity cards.

USA: Obama begins gearing up re-election bid, The Wall Street Journal (2011)

This article reports on the White House announcement regarding the next presidential elections in the US. The White House will announce the creation of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign as soon as this month. Democratic Party officials said that the campaign and fund-raising need an early start, as the the next poll could cost each party around $1 billion.

Zimbabwe: Mutambara Booted Off MDC Party Helm, All Africa (2011)

The article discuss MDC-M party's congress. It is reported that a petition was drawn against the then party leader and the current country's Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara. Mutambara then decided to pull out of the leadership race. Mutambara praised his party for the transparent change of leadership and assured that even without a position in leadership he will be a "soldier in the party".

Nigeria:Nigerian Analyst Sees Close Contest in Ruling Party Primary Voanews (2011)

The People Democratic Party is about to chose the candidate that will run for presidency for the April elections. Both Former VP Atiku Abubakar and actual president Goodluck Jonathan has a chance to win according to University of Abuja Professor Mr. Kabiru Mato.

Pakistan: EC casts doubt over degrees of 298 MPs, The Nation (2011)

This article reports on the declarations of the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding further investigation on the fake degrees scandal. The ECP declared that as many as 298 parliamentarians (one fourths of the total number) have been reluctant to provide supporting documents to verify their graduation degrees during a wide verification process launched by the High Education Commission. The sitting MPs will lose their seats if they will not cooperate.

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Zambia: If my action to de-register MMD is found to be improper, I will resign my position-Andeleki, Lusaka Times (2012)

The article talks about the decision to de-register the opposition party, MMD. Chief Registrar of Societies, Clement Andeleki said the decision is not political.

President Tadić announces general election date, neurope (2012)

Parliamentary elections in Serbia will be held on 13 March. These will be the ninth elections since the reintroduction of the multiparty system in 1990.

Moldova elects pro-European judge as president, bradenton (2012)

Moldova's Parliament elected Nicolae Timofti as President on 16, March. Moldova had been without a president since 2009.

Guatemala: TSE evalúa contratar a personas con discapacidad, Prensa Libre (2011)

El Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) evalúa contratar a personas con discapacidad para que los apoyen en la elaboración de material, así como para la atención al público y ayuda en logística.

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USA: Republicans Eye Electoral Vote Changes, Times (2011)

The article discusses the proposition made by the Republicans from Pennsylvania and Nebraska to change the allocation of electoral college votes during the presidential election. According to them, distributing the votes according to the congressional districts won by the candidate rather than allocating all the districs from the state won by the candidate would be more fair.

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United Kingdom: Electoral boundaries review 'mad and insane', The Northern Echo (2011)

The article discusses the different debates and problematic surrounding the reconfiguration of three North-East electoral districts.

Italian President Calls For New Electoral Law, Roils Separatists, The Wall Street Journal (2011)

The article reports that Napolitano, the Italian president, called upon the parliament for a new electoral law in order to bring the voters closer to their elected representatives. The president role in the Italian system became more important since the country has an unstable government.

Philippines: COMELEC: Over 5K register for OAV, ABS CBN News (2011).

This article discusses the overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration in preparation for the 2013 elections. The COMELEC's Education and Information Department stated a total of 5,438 have registered for the OAV.