ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

India: Election Commission norms for political party's TV channels soons, The Economic Times (2011)

The Indian Election Commission is formulating guidelines to regulate campaigning on television channels. This comes about as a concern that television networks owned and operated by the partners of political parties could be used as a form of unlimited advertising for their favored electoral candidate.

Nigeria: POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE: Panel demands protection, free hand, The Nigerian Tribune (2011)

The Panel set up by president Goodluck Johnathan to investigate the causes and extent of post-election violence has requested adequate security protection. Their report, which the president is expecting in six weeks, will attempt to identify both the culprits their motives as well as suggest adequate legal action on the part of the newly formed government.

South Africa: Allow workers to vote - ANC, IOL (2011)

The article reports on the call by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party to all employers to release employee on voting day to go and vote on the upcoming local government election.

South Africa: Highest number of first-time voters to date, IOL (2011)

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has seen the highest number of first time voters. It is reported that the KwaZulu-Natal province has received the largest number of all the provinces, recording a total of 30 106 young voters.

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South Africa: IEC promises transparency, IOL (2011)

The independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has promised to deliver a smooth and transparent voting process. In her statement during the launch of the national results operations centre in Pretoria, chairwoman DR. Bam said, the democratic process was taking its course in Africa.

South Africa: Cape Town mayoral candidates go head-to-head, SABCNews (2011)

Mayoral candidates in Cape Town went on a debate in a workshop debate organised by Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa). Titled 'Local Government Elections: The Race for Cape Town'. Candidates took the opportunity at the platform provided to woo voters.

South Afrca: IEC Chairperson introduces new commissioner, SABCNews (2011)

The South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has a new commissioner. Speaking at the Results Operations Centre (ROC), Chairperson Dr. Brigalia Bam took the opportunity to formally introduce Judge Thami Makhanya as the new commissioner. She went on to inform that one of the five commissioners had to be a judge according to the Electoral Act.

Philippines: COMELEC urged residents to register to vote in 2013 elections, PIA (2012).

This article discusses the call out to voters to register for the 2013 elections by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). As of April 16, COMELEC listed 72,031 registered voters.

Philippines: Comelec: 62 party-list groups delisted from May 2013 polls, GMA News (2012).

This article discusses 62 party-list organizations that will not be able to participate in the May 2013 elections. They were delisted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) because it fails to participate in the last two preceding elections or fails to obtain at least 2% of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two preceding elections. The delisted groups cannot run in 2013 elections but they can participate in the 2016 elections.

Malaysian police free all 471 protesters arrested in Bersih clash , The Straits Times (2012).

This article discusses the 471 people arrested during a demonstration which call out free and fair elections. The national police spokesman stated that all of the people arrested have been released.

Guyana: GECOM working to have elections this year - Chairman, Demarara Waves (2011)

Following calls for extension of the now ended Claims and Objections period, GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally says there will be no delays for the general election once the final voters list is certified by Chief Election Officer Gocool Boodoo in early September.

Haitian elections a frustration for donors: cable, Embassy Magazine (2011)

The article discusses a recently released US diplomatic cable that highlights the frustration of the international community leading up to the 2009 elections in Haiti, with the Canadian ambassador flagging transparency issues over the banning of a popular opposition party.

Dominican Republic’s ruling party taps candidate, Dominican Today (2011)

Danilo Medina wins the ruling PLD party’s presidential candidacy for the 2012 election.

Pakistan: NA speaker’s foreign visit delays notification, The Nation (2011)

The article discusses the process of appointing a parliamentary committee to reform Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza is currently visiting abroad which delays the process as the speaker has to sign the notification of proposed committee.

Voting reform referendum will change UK politics – but will anyone notice?, The Guardian (2011)

The article discusses the coming referendum on reforming the electoral system in the UK. Voters will be asked on 6 May if they would prefer the alternative vote system to first-past-the-post but there are doubts whether the voters will be interested in the question. There hasn't been any national referendum in the UK since 1975 when the voters where asked about staying in the European Community.

Referendum Could Change Swiss Gun Culture, Der Spiegel (2011)

The article discusses the possible impacts of referendum taking place on Sunday 13 February in Switzerland. The question is about ending a tradition of sending military-issue rifles home with reserve soldiers. Contrary to European Union countries, every third Swiss households owns a gun.

Malta: PN denies it is restricting right to referendum, Times of Malta (2011)

The article discusses the motion of Maltese PN General Secretary Paul Borg to oppose the introduction of divorce and hold a referendum if the Parliament accepts the bill. According to the Divorce Movement, PN's proposal aims to turn a promised referendum to decide the divorce issue into a possible referendum aimed at striking down the proposed law.

Nigeria: How not to register voters: one election, one registration, Vanguard (2011)

This article discusses the challenges of the voter registration in Nigeria. The author is critical towards the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and denounces serious malpractices, mostly caused by faulty machines, inability to capture biometric data of registrants, and unavailability of registration officers in many areas.

Nigeria: Soyinka's party accuses electoral body of sabotage, NEXT (2011)

The Democratic Front for a People's Federation has requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission remove the party from the list of political parties that failed to meet the January 31st deadline for submission of candidate lists. The party, originally founded by Wole Soyinka, is accusing INEC of a premeditated strategy to ensure its disfranchisement from the forthcoming general elections.