· December, 2008

Stories about Elections from December, 2008

India: A Relationship Based On Fairness

  31 December 2008

Supriyo Chaudhuri at Sunday posts has this to say to the winners of the Bangladesh election: “The Bangladeshi politicians must understand their responsibility and display their accountability to keep the mandate. India too, must abandon its big brother stance and make real concessions to build a relationship based on fairness,...

Bangladesh: Please accept the result

  31 December 2008

In the Middle of Nowhere writes an open letter to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of BNP, whose party lost significantly in the recent Bangladesh election: “Accept the results, Madam. Accept the result. Don’t follow the hated destructive path of the politics of rejection and exclusion.”

India, Bangladesh: Explaining South Asian Politics

  30 December 2008

Santosh at Über Desi explains the results of the Bangladesh parliamentary election: “Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party won because it was time for a change. The last elected government was formed by Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Yes, politics in South Asia can be explained in such simplistic terms.“

Ghana: Tired of dirty politics

  30 December 2008

Omanba of Ghanaconscious criticizes politics in Ghana as pressuring people with “with negativity and scandalous innuendos”. For him the recent presidential elections have brought “the worst of humankind in Ghana”.

Trinidad & Tobago: The Goings-On in Gaza

  30 December 2008

Notes from Port of Spain examines the situation in Gaza: “In terms of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is a total waste of time and of life. It is a big step backwards.”

Ghana: Waiting for a President

  29 December 2008

On December 7, Ghanaians came to the polls to elect a President, but a runoff was necessary. While waiting for the results of that second round that took place yesterday, Ethan Zuckerman reviews what is being said on Twitter and in the blogosphere.

Bangladesh: A campaign of words

  29 December 2008

Internationally acclaimed photo journalist Shahidul Alam takes a look at the last minute election campaigns in Bangladesh and comments on the election promises: “The saying in Bangla ‘kothar upor tax nai’ ‘there is no tax on words’ could not have been more apt.” Check the post for photographs and videos...

Bangladesh: Microblogging an election

  29 December 2008

In a few hours time 81 million Bangladeshi voters (51% women) will go to vote for the ninth parliamentary election. The election is crucial for the nation as it will bring the country back into the track of democracy after two years of emergency rule of an interim government backed...

Ghana: Election runoff

  28 December 2008

African Elections Project posted some pictures of the runoff for the 7th of December Presidential elections taking place today, while @ghanaelections has been offering live Twitter updates on the voting.

Syria: Outrage at the “Massacre in Gaza”

  28 December 2008

The Arab world is somber today. The feeling of shock and disgust at the events of yesterday can be felt at every blog. As the Israeli Defense Forces bombed and wrecked havoc in besieged Gaza the Syrian blogosphere had a sense of disbelief at what is happening and the international reaction to it, as Yazan Badran explains.

Northeast Asia: 2008 Review

  27 December 2008

The northeast Asia region is becoming more integrated politically, economically and socially. State leaders from China, Japan and South Korea recently signed a Joint Statement for Tripartite Partnership to address the serious challenges in the global economy and the financial markets. Peace talk between North and South Korea continues, while...

Americas: A Look Back at 2008

  26 December 2008

In 2008, the Latin American team from Global Voices helped add context and helped highlight voices of bloggers that wrote about the numerous news stories that took place across the region. From the election of an ex-bishop in Paraguay to the march against the FARC in Colombia, bloggers provided their thoughts on natural disasters, protests, strikes, and important events across the Americas.

Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008

  26 December 2008

For Southeast Asia, 2008 was a year of terrible disasters, both natural and man-made. Rice consumption was reduced, milk products were contaminated with melamine, jobs were lost, bloggers were arrested, and homes were destroyed. But the situation is not hopeless.

Caucasus: 2008 Blog Review

  25 December 2008

Last year ended with a state of emergency declared in Georgia, but few could imagine that the events of 2008 would eclipse those of 2007. Three presidential elections, a war, and yet another state of emergency defined the South Caucasus this year, and bloggers were there to document events from...

Bangladesh: A Calm Election

  24 December 2008

Kristin Boekhoff posts some pictures of the street advertisements of the candidates of the Bangladesh election. She comments that so far the election has been quite calm.