ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

US midterm elections spending raises questions over special interests, The Guardian (2010)

This article discusses a new trend in the electoral campaign for the US midterm elections: rising elections spending. The 2010 elections will be the most expensive in American history. On November 2, American voters will elect all the members of the House of Representatives, part of the Senate, and 39 governors.

Canada: Liberal candidate didn't break election laws, CBC News (2010)

A Canadian Liberal Party candidate, Roger Melanson, was photographed in several government photo-ops, even though elections will be held in September. The province's chief elections officer, however, stated that Mr Melanson did not violate the Elections Act or the Political Process Financing Act.

Nigeria president picks new national election chief, Reuters Africa (2010)

The Council of State has approved president Goodluck Jonathan's nominee for chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), the appointment must now be confirmed by parliament. Nigeria will hold presidential elections in 2011.

Nigeria:INEC boss: Parties, NBA, ACF, others hail Jega’s appointment, The Punch (2010)

This article discusses reaction to the nomination of Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Professor Attahiru Jega, as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Burundi bans rallies by parties boycotting poll, Reuters Africa (2010)

The government has warned opposition parties against rallies that encourage the boycotting of the presidential election. The six opposition parties have withdrawn from the June 28 poll in protest of irregularities in district elections.

Somaliland elections: Opposition parties begin their eastern campaigns, Somaliland Press (2010)

This article focuses on campaigns by various parties across Somaliland ahead of the upcoming elections. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has set the official election date for June 26.

Liberia: Voting Outside Country Outlawed, All Africa (2010)

This article discusses the announcement from the National Electoral Commission that it will not make efforts to allow Liberians living outside the country to vote in the next election. Voting from outside the country is outlawed by the 1986 constitution.

Jordan:Watchdog on mission to encourage wider participation in polls, The Jordan Times (2010)

The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) has launched a project to encourage participation in upcoming elections and to encourage confidence in elections. The NCHR will also observe many aspects of the election.

Solomon Islands: Training for electoral managers underway, Solomon Star (2010)

This article reports on the training of 2,000 election officials for the upcoming elections in the Solomon Islands. The Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs opened the first sessions of the workshop.

At-a-glance: Dutch election contenders, BBC News (2010)

This article briefly presents the candidates for the Prime Minister position in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands: Mark Rutte, Job Cohen, Jan Peter Balkenende, and Geert Wilders

Strong anti-immigration vote expected in Netherlands, Radio Free Europe (2010)

This article discusses the expected results of the June 9 Dutch elections. Based on the latest opinion polls, the far-right Party of Freedom should gain several parliamentary seats.

Dutch voters head to the polls, Aljazeera (2010)

This article reports on the election day in the Netherlands. This is going to be the country's fourth elections since 2002. The electoral campaign focused mostly on economic issues, and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy seems to be the frontrunner.

Tonga PSA forms party ahead of November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

A new party was launched in Tonga, the Tonga Democratic Labor Party. This party was instituted by former and dissatisfied members of the Tonga's Public Servants Association.

Tonga grooms candidates for November poll, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

Parties in Tonga are preparing for the elections in November. Voters will be electing 17 of the 26 members of the Parliament.

PNG minister insists reserved women seats are affordable, Radio New Zealand (2010)

Dame Carol Kidu, Ministry of Community Development, presented a law that would reserve seats for women in the Parliament. The opposition party, however, dismissed this proposal and claimed that it would be too costly. Dame Kidu is the only female member of the Papua New Guinea Parliament.

Papua New Guinea: Momis confirmed as new president of Bougainville, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article presents the final results of the elections in Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville. The Electoral Commission's vote counting operations, terminated one month after the elections, confirmed the victory of John Momis.

Center right seeks power in Dutch vote, CNN (2010)

This article comments the latest news on the election day in the Netherlands. According to the latest polls, the center-right Liberal Party seems to be the likely winner: it could be the first Liberal government in the Netherlands since World War I.

Kyrygzstan’s Constitutional Referendum Causing Civil Society-Provisional Government Rift, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article writes that Kyrgyzstan’s provisional leaders are counting on an upcoming constitutional referendum of June 27, 2010 to foster stability and legitimize the country’s political transition. But civil society activists do not approve of approaches of the provisional government. The voters will be asked 3 questions in a singe yes-no vote: new constitution, endorsing the acting head of the provisional government as president until the end of 2011, as well as approving the abolishment of the Constitutional Court.

Senior Kyrgyz Interim Government Official Quits Post, Creates Own Party, RFE/RL (2010)

The article informs that the Kyrgyz interim government's chief of staff has resigned from his post in order to establish a new political party ahead of parliamentary elections this fall.

Bill to Boost Nazarbayev’s Powers in Kazakhstan Remains Theoretically Alive, EurasiaNet (2010)

Teh article says that although it has been widely reported that Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has rejected parliament-approved amendments to enhance his executive powers, but Nazarbayev’s refusal to sign the legislation may not be the end of the story. A little-known loophole exists that leaves the door open for the amendments to become law automatically, even without Nazarbayev’s approval.