ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

UN Security Council deplores violence in post-election Guinea, People's Daily Online (2010)

This article reports on the UN Security Council's decision to condemn the post-election violent clashes in the Guinea. In the aftermath of the announcement of the results of the presidential runoff election riots broke out in the streets. In November 7 poll, Alpha Conde won the election with 52.52% of the votes, while his opponent received 47.48%.

Caught on tape, a snippet of Afghan voting fraud, The New York Times (2010)

This article reports on the ongoing investigations on the alleged election fraud in Afghanistan. A new audiotape prove the election rigging in the city of Herat: a low-level functionary of the Independent Election Commission negotiates with Ismail Khan, an old warlord and now member of the government, to rig more than a dozen races in the elections. In the past week, the integrity and credibility of the election have been seriously undermined.

Africa power-broker Compaore confident of new term, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the few days before the Sunday poll in Burkina Faso. President Blaise Compaore, who has been ruling the country since 1987, is expected to win the presidential elections. Hi most serious opponent is Benewende Sankara, who also challenged him in the 2005 elections (receiving about 5% of the votes).

Thin turnout seen in Burkina presidential vote, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates from the Election Day in Burkina Faso. The polling went smoothly, but the voter turnout was much lower than expected. Many experts believe that the low participation is due to a general apathy towards the elections. Furthermore, president Compaore has no real opponent and he is already expected to win the elections.

Tongan monarch voices support for elections, ABC News (2010)

This article reports on the King of Tonga's position towards elections. King Tupou V states that he fully supports the upcoming elections. The Nobles in Tonga have nine reserved seats in parliament, and they could form a government with the support of five independent MPs.

Germany: From radical opposition to mainstream party: The rise of the Greens, Deutsche Welle (2010)

This article reports on the rise of Green Party in Germany. The author presents the history of this party, which was created as an anti-party party of intellectuals and in 30 years its popularity has continued to rise in opinion polls: in 2009 the party reached its best election results yet, 10.7%.

Municipal elections heat up, Al-Ahram (2008)

 

Ahead of polls, Egypt Islamists warn of violence, Egypt News (2008)

 

El Baradei sets conditions for Egypt presidency run, Reuters (2009)

Mohamed El Baradei announced that he will become an opposition presidential candidate for the 2011 elections only if there are guarantees for a fair election. He also included specific conditions such as a new constitution that would respect human rights and put clear constraints on power. Some voices in Egyptian opposition hope that ElBaradei's candidacy could block President Mubarak's pass of power to his son.

Mubarak: Egypt presidential elections will be freer in 2011, Haaretz (2010)

Egyptian President Mubarak, who has ruled almost unchallenged for 29 years, has recently said in an interview that the presidential elections will be open to "anyone who can bring benefit to Egypt," and announced that he wants elections to be "free and fair". Despite the commitments to freer elections, it is widely believed that the President is preparing a ground for his son to succeed him.

Egyptian police arrest top Muslim Brotherhood figures, VOA News (2010)

About a month after the banned Muslim Brotherhood has elected new party leadership, the police has arrested about 12 senior leaders. Some analysts say that this action is just part of the preparation for the parliamentary elections, during which the government cracks down on the Muslim Brotherhood. Muslim Brotherhood attorney called government actions "provocative and unjustified".

Mohammed ElBaradei faces challenges on return to Egypt, BBC (2010)

The former chief of IAEA, Mohammed ElBaradei, Has arrived to Cairo, welcomed by his supporters calling him to run in presidential elections due next year. Current constitutional rules effectively bar him from standing in a presidential race.

Egypt's Opposition Gives ElBaradei a Hero's Welcome, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article is on the welcoming of Mohamed ElBaradei amid speculation that the former International Atomic Energy Agency chief will challenge Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in elections next year, despite the obstacles in getting on the Ballot.

Egypt's government to restrict NGO vote monitoring, The Washington Post (2010)

36 NGO groups protested a proposed draft legislation which is allegedly seeking to restrict the work of NGOs, preventing them from monitoring the upcoming 2010 parliamentary elections as well as the 2011 presidential elections. At the same time, 100 opposition lawmakers introduced a different bill aimed at free and transparent elections, which however has a minimal chance of succeeding since the Parliament is under the control of the ruling party.

Egypt's Islamists to stand for elections despite arrests, Gulf News (2010)

The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s banned-but-largest opposition force, has said it will run in the mid-term elections of the upper house of the parliament next June despite a series of detentions.

Egypt Opposition Figure Urges Election Boycott, CBS News (2010)

An emerging opposition leader in Egypt and former head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency has called for a boycott of the upcoming elections, an Egyptian activist said Monday.

Egypt: Mubarak pledges fair elections, Aljazeera (2010)

Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, has pledged a fair election next year, amid increasing calls from opposition presidential candidates.

(Egyptian President Returns to Cairo, and to Public Eye, New York Times (2010

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, facing spreading rumors of his failing health, stood to give a half-hour speech on Thursday, belatedly marking Labor Day as well as his return to the Egyptian capital after a two-month absence. Parliamentary elections are due to be held this fall, followed by the presidential elections next year.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood prepares for vote, Reuters (2010)

The Brotherhood, which is officially banned but has affiliated candidates in parliament, said the government had approved 12 of the 14 candidates it put forward to run for seats in Egypt's Shura Council, the upper house of parliament.

Egyptian opposition says members besieged, RFI (2010)

The opposition party in Egypt has complained about corruption ahead of Tuesday's elections for the upper house of parliament. The elections are often considered to be a forecaster of the lower house elections.