ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

India: Spend and tell, The Indian Express (2011)

This article reports on the discussions over a new legislation to regulate election spending of political parties. The author argues that India needs a more transparent process of party financing, and that the current rules are contradictory and unclear. Under the 2003 Election and Other Related Laws Act, election spending caps are unrealistically low, the author suggests, and they apply only to candidates (exempting parties and supporters).

France: Nicolas Sarkozy in pre-election campaign drive, Reuters (2011)

This article reports on the first steps of President Sarkozy's re-election bid in France. In the past couple of weeks, the President has been trying to rebuild public support in TV interviews and tours in the countryside. Elections are scheduled for April 2012.

USA: Latino vote turnout likely to lag, new poll finds, The New York Times (2010)

This article reports on a new opinion polls about the role of the Latino minority in the upcoming elections in the United States. According to the latest poll, only 51% of the Latino registered to vote said that they will absolutely vote (a low figure compared to 70% of all registered voters). This might be a big disadvantage for the Democratic Party: according to the same poll, 65% of the Hispanic population support the Democrats, while only 22% vote for the Republican party.

USA: Hacker infiltration ends D.C. online voting trial, The Washington Post (2010)

This article reports on the recent piloting of an Internet-based voting system in Washington D.C., USA. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethnics launched this system for a week-long trial period, inviting hackers from all over the world to test its effectiveness. On Friday, the board's chief technology officer admitted that the system had been violated. Students of the University of Michigan were able to hack the system and program it to play their fight song, "Hail to the Victors".

Uganda: Electoral Commission not ready for elections - report, The Daily Monitor (2010)

This article presents a new report released by the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa and AfriMAP on the electoral management in Uganda. According to the report, the Electoral Commission is not able to address the constant harassment, arrests and intimidation of politicians, and therefore the 2011 elections in Uganda will not meet international standards. The report also talks about the problems encountered in the voters' registration and the threats of electoral-related violence.

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Guatemala: Guatemalan President Confirms Elections Runoff Date, InsideCostaRica (2011)

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom confirmed that the presidential elections runoff will be held on November 6, despite the state of disaster decreed due to the heavy rains.

Euro Parliament May 'Freeze Contacts' with Duma, ria (2012)

The third largest faction in the European Parliament the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe suggests a freeze on contacts with the Russian State Duma until Russia holds "free and fair parliamentary elections."

Czech President to Be Elected in Public Vote, abcnews (2012)

The Parliament of Czech Republic approved a change in the Constitution regarding elections of president. In the next presidential election that will be held in early 2013, presidents will be chosen in a popular election.

Several Politicians Express Support for Burma Election, The Irrawaddy (2010).

This article discusses the support given to the 2010 Myanmar election by several veteran Burmese politicians, former political prisoners and student activists on “Burma Affairs Forum”.

Libya: Gadhafi's Offer to Hold Elections Swiftly Rejected, Wall Street Journal (2011)

The article reports that attempts by the Gadhafi regime to call national elections have been rejected by the resistance forces and their affiliates. Gadhafi's son pressed that these would be fully free elections and would be internationally monitored. The article reports on the reactions to this stance.

Election Results

 

Singapore: GE: Opposition parties plan to discuss constituency allocation, Channel News Asia (2011).

This article discusses opposition parties in Singapore and discussion on constituencies in the Singapore general election.

Thailand: Poll: Fierce battle expected in next election, Bangkok Post (2011).

This article discusses a poll conducted by Abac poll on upcoming election as regards to vote buying, parties and candidates competition, etc.

Laos; National Assembly Prepares For Upcoming General Election, ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (2011).

This article discusses training held held by National Committee for the Seventh General Election of Laos National Assembly in preparation for the April 30, Parliamentary elections.

Viet Nam: Complaints sub-committee meets ahead of elections, Viet Nam News Agency (2011).

This article discusses the set up of sub-committee in preparation for the 13th National Assembly and People's Councils elections scheduled to be held in May 20, 2011.

Canada: The ins and outs of Stephen Harper and Elections Canada

This article reports and discusses the recent events in Canada. Elections Canada, the agency responsible for managing elections and overseeing party financing, have charged four high-ranking Conservatives incorrectly reporting election spending on television advertising in the campaign that brought the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, to power in 2006.

Canada: Court rules against Tories on campaign spending, The Globe and Mail (2011)

This article reports on a Canadian federal court's decision to rule against Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party in its long-running feud with Canada’s elections watchdog, overturning a legal victory the Tories had argued offered them vindication in the matter.