Stories about Elections from April, 2011
Peru: Second Electoral Round Kicks Off
A few weeks before the second round of elections in Peru, the choice between candidates Ollanta Humala and Keiko Fujimori, the growing polarisation in Peruvian society, and ultimately from the electorate, is as notable in the press as it is on social networks.
D.R. of Congo: Donors wary of involvement in elections
Donors are wary of involvement in elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “With only seven months to go before elections in the Congo, donors are trying to calibrate their political and financial involvement in the polls. One forum where this is playing out is the UN Security Council, which...
Nigeria: Women Protest in Abuja
Nigerian women say no to violence: “Nigerian women in Abuja protesting against the post election violence in the north of the country. Nigerian women have always at the forefront of anti-violence protest in the country. Last year hundreds women from the Jos region gathered in Abuja in a day of...
Japan: Netizens react to the arrest of an Englishman
Japan Probe translated the comments [en] of some netizens who reacted to the arrest of an English man who grabbed “a mike from a politician at a train station and yelled about how Japanese elections are loud and annoying.”
Nigeria: Elections commenced in peaceful atmosphere
The governorship and state assembly elections commenced in a peaceful atmosphere, 234Next reports: “At about 10am, some polling booths began to witness large crowds as more people came out for the accreditation exercise. At some polling units, residents brought plastic chairs and canopies to provide shelter for the voters to...
India: Media Hyperbole And The Bengal Assembly Elections
Shuvo at Words From Solitude warns the supporters of the apparently leading contender of the West Bengal State Assembly elections not to get carried away by the media hyperbole.
India: Who Is Going To Be The Chief Minister Of West Bengal?
The elections in the West Bengal state of India are going on and Mamata Banerjee, leader of Trinamool Congress, is a favorite to become the Chief Minister of West Bengal in a few weeks. Monobina Gupta at Kafila describes in details about the the rise of Mamata Banerjee.
Nigeria: Tweeps Report And Discuss Post-Election Violence
Nigeria's presidential election was held in on 16 April 2011. Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner. Some observers have alleged that the election was rigged to favor the incumbent. Post-election violence erupted in northern states where supporters of Muhammadu Buhari attacked churches, homes and police stations. This is a summary of reports and reaction from tweeps using NigeriaDecides hashtag.
Nigeria: #NigeriaDecides Tech Meetup in Lagos
CP-Africa announces #NigeriaDecides tech meetup in Lagos, Nigeria on April 30, 2011: “The meetup is organizing a second edition to review the use of technology in the 2011 elections – and discuss possible future directions.”
Zambia: Cadre Diplomats
Zambian Economist reacts to reports that the Zambian president pleaded for funding from a supposedly non-partisan Foreign Service: “This should be considered an abuse of office. The President has turned the foreign service into a funding pot for his re-election campaign.”
Russia: Reactions to Putin annual speech
Democratist shares some reactions on Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin's, speech to the Russian parliament on Wednesday April 20, and reflects upon it from the perspective of the 2012 presidential elections.
Singapore: Bloggers Criticize PAP Manifesto
Singapore’s ruling coalition, People’s Action Party, released its election manifesto on April 17, 2011, which was immediately criticized by many bloggers for being “too vague.” PAP has been in power for five decades already. The General Elections will take place on May 7.
Haiti: The Democratic Process
Toussaint on Haiti suggests that the recent election “is a sign we still believe in democracy and that these elections might have breathed new life into to Haiti’s nascent and fragile democracy.”
Malaysia: Ruling Coalition Tops Sarawak Elections
On Saturday 16 April, 2011, Malaysia’s ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition won the state election in Sarawak, winning 55 of the 71 seats contested to retain its control and two-thirds majority over the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition alliance. Bloggers discuss the outcome.
Venezuela: Could the opposition benefit from a long primary?
Blogging by boz lists 5 ways the opposition (MUD) in Venezuela could benefit from a “long, tough primary”: “It's impossible to say for certain whether the late primary will benefit or harm the MUD until after it happens. But if the MUD ends up winning in 2012, I can guarantee...
Nigeria: ReVoda Turns Voters Into Monitors
ReVoDa users in Nigeria give verdict on Nigeria’s Presidential Election. ReVoDa allows voters to report as independent citizen observers from their respective Polling Units across Nigeria using mobile phones.
Kuwait: The Prime Minister Wins Again
Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah has broken a new record with his appointment as prime minister of Kuwait for the seventh time in five years. Some bloggers and Twitter users have been campaigning, alongside political groups, demanding his departure. Kuwaiti bloggers speak up, discussing why they need a new prime minister to steer their country forward.
Côte D‘Ivoire: The Regional Economic Impact of Post-Election Conflict
Aconerly looks at the regional economic impact of post election conflict in Côte D‘Ivoire: “Seasonal migrant laborers from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali face a prospect of unemployment as a result of the upheaval caused by the political conflict between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and contested President Allasane Outtara.”
Nigeria: Photos the Presidential Vote
I’m posting a few photos I took from Saturday’s presidential vote from Kaduna, Nigeria. Stay tuned for more photos from yesterday along with my longer post on the view from the ground.
Nigeria: Jega set to announce presidential election results
The stage is set for the announcement of final presidential election results by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof Attahiru Jega, as accredited stakeholders arrive the National Collation Centre in Abuja.
Nigeria Votes 2011: Opinions From the Polls
Nigerians voted yesterday in the third presidential election since the nation transitioned to civilian rule in 1999. Thus far, the election has widely been declared a success, with only sporadic reports of violence and voting irregularities. News sources reported a large turnout, orderly queues, and voters waiting until polls closed to make sure their votes were counted. Bloggers discuss the experience.
