· February, 2008

Stories about Elections from February, 2008

Russia: Election Roundup

  29 February 2008

A roundup on Russia's upcoming presidential election: Mark MacKinnon writes on the 72 percent “target” for Medvedev; Megan Case writes about the reasons NOT to vote; Robert Amsterdam writes about betting on the Russian election, writer Victor Erofeyev's pro-Putin and pro-Medvedev op-ed in the New York Times, and more election...

Armenia: Political Turncoat

  29 February 2008

Unzipped is dismayed by the acceptance of a position from Orinats Yerkir party leader and presidential candidate, Artur Baghdasarian, from the prime minister and president-elect, Serge Sargsyan. The move, ostensibly made in order to defuse tension in the country, gives credence to claims from the opposition that Baghdasarian was working...

Brazil: Following up the Democratic Primaries

  29 February 2008

‘Biscoito Fino e a Massa‘ is closely following the Texas Democratic Primary polls [PT], and reports about Obama's surge toward nomination. He also tries hard to explain the primary's rules in the state, and mention past local cases of electoral mess and misconduct like the ‘gerrymandering’ in 2003. The blog...

Kenya: Thank you Annan and team

  29 February 2008

After the power-sharing deal was announced, a caller to a local radio station was ecstatic and invited Kofi Annan and team to "nyama choma" (barbeque), another caller offered him two beers and another pronounced that Annan was the best angel God had sent to the people of Kenya. The level of excitement in the streets of Nairobi and Kisumu demonstrated that the worst is over, and that Kenya will possibly not tilt over the edge like it did in the last two months. The Kenyan blogosphere also paints a similiar picture.

Barbados, Jamaica: Political Accountability

  29 February 2008

Living in Barbados thinks that the arrest of a former Jamaican Minister implicated in the Cuban lightbulb scandal “should shed light on what kind of government Bruce Golding is leading and what kind of democratic country Jamaica really is.”

Somalia/USA: Somali elders for Obama

  28 February 2008

Royale Somali blogs about Somali elders supporting Obama in Ohio: “I heard that a lot of Somali elders in Ohio who are also American citizens would be going to caucus for Obama , dressed like that notorious photo. Ohio has a large Somali community around 20 Thousand.”

Kenya: Dear Kofi Annan…

  28 February 2008

Following the decision by Kofi Annan to suspend peace talks in Kenya, Kenyan blogger, wheremadnessresides decided to write a letter to him: “Dear Kofi Annan: There's a rumour that you're thinking of leaving Kenya. That you're fed up with our leaders and their madness. That you're up to here and beyond with all this nonsense. I can certainly understand why you would be sorely tempted. But please please please don't. Leave Kenya that is. You can't anyway. You promised, remember?"

Jamaica: This and That

  28 February 2008

Jamaica and the World puts in her two cents’ worth on everything from a Minister being charged with fraud to the island's roller-coaster crime rate.

Armenia: Political Prisoners

  27 February 2008

Unzipped comments on local news reports examining the unsavory past of some former officials detained by police after switching to the opposition since last week's election. Regardless, the blog says, as they have been arrested now only because of their new allegiances, they can therefore be considered political prisoners.

Taiwan: No City for Old Aborigines

  27 February 2008

The first Presidential debate powered by citizen media platform Peopo was held on Feb 24. Two candidates running for President answers 20 questions raised by citizens who use Youtube-like video clips to express their wishes and problems.

Armenia: Absurd Revolution

  27 February 2008

Notes from Hairenik weighs in on continuing discussion of the daily protests staged by former president Levon Ter-Petrossian in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. While agreeing that electoral violations did take place, the blog says that too few people are interested in staging any revolution in Armenia. Besides, the blog argues, such...

Armenia: Dubious Election

  27 February 2008

A Fistful of Euros posts an entry on what it calls Armenia's dubious election. However, the blog says that the outcome of last week's presidential election was pretty much known well in advance, and while corruption and poverty are still facts of life, that's not to say the incumbent authorities...

Armenia: Post-Election Revolution Scenario?

  26 February 2008

That there would be mass demonstrations immediately after the presidential election held last week in Armenia was known long ago. Many observers also figured on yet another attempt by the radical opposition to stage a colored revolution of the type seen in Georgia and Ukraine. However, few expected it to succeed, but a week after the 19 February vote, the situation is now gearing up for what might be serious confrontation between opposition supporters and the authorities.

Nigeria: Election petition against president dismissed

  26 February 2008

Nigerian Times writes about the results of presidential election petition in Nigeria: “The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, Tuesday, dismissed the petition of former military ruler, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, because he could not prove his case against the election of “President” Umaru Yar'Adua in the April 2007 presidential poll...

Taiwan: Polls on Hsieh-Ma Debate

  26 February 2008

Michael Turton comments on local reports and polls after the televised debate on budget plan between two presidential candidates: Frank Hsieh and Ma Ying-jeou.