· September, 2011

Stories about Elections from September, 2011

Cameroon: How Candidates Are Navigating the Social Media Landscape

  30 September 2011

Dibussi looks at how candidates in Presidential Election 2011 in Cameroon are navigating the social media landscape: “President Paul: The president’s relatively recent social media presence is part of a much broader (and reportedly very expensive) PR campaign crafted by Patricia Balme, the most recent in a series of French...

Kyrgyzstan: Pushing for the state language in campaign

  30 September 2011

murzaki writes about the Kyrgyz language test, which is a part of the presidential candidates registration in Kyrgyzstan. Some observers believe this exam may be a tool of screening away unwanted politicians, but it probably also marks the start of politicization of the state language issue.

Jamaica: Upcoming Elections

  29 September 2011

Bruce Golding yesterday confirmed that he will step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, which according to Girl With a Purpose, means that the country should brace itself for “political maneuvering, with many speeches and media appearances by all candidates.”

Cameroon: Calm Before the Storm?

  29 September 2011

Cameroon's presidential election will take place on October 9, but the lack of stake in the outcome felt by the general population is leading to a lack of interest. The threat of post-election violence and ethnic tension is also hanging over the country.

El Salvador: Youth Participation in Elections

  28 September 2011

Blogger Jjmar from Hunnapuh [es] comments on youth's lack of interest in the elections and in politics in general, a problem which Jjmar argues is reflected in the low number of registered young voters in the 2009 elections and for the upcoming 2012 elections.

Jamaica: Golding to Resign?

  27 September 2011

Jamaica and the World republishes a Wikileaks cable that sullies the image of the government, while Girl With a Purpose reports that “Prime Minister Bruce Golding dropped a bombshell on Jamaicans…announc[ing] his intention to resign as Party Leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).”

Colombia: Bogota's Mayoral Campaign

  27 September 2011

Mike Ceaser comments on Bogota Mayoral candidate Enrique Peñalosa's decision to “campaign with ex-President Alvaro Uribe.” Mike argues that “by campaigning with the conservative Uribe […] Peñalosa is giving up any chance for the vote of young progressives, altho [sic] few supported him as it is.”

Zambia: We Need to Watch Zambia

  26 September 2011

Ethan explains why the world need to watch Zambia: “There’s a danger that we miss a major story here: democracy is taking root in Africa and spreading rapidly. Nations like Zambia, which survived autocratic rule and then dominance by one party are now seeing democratic change.”

Zambia: Starting Life Under a New Leader

  26 September 2011

Zambians have started life under newly elected president Michael Sata who was inaugurated on September 23, 2011, three days after the elections which ended 20 years of rule by the MMD government. Netizens on various social network platforms have expressed different views on the inauguration and the new presidency.

Zambia: Tweeps Celebrate Michael Sata's Victory

  23 September 2011

Zambian tweeps as well as other Africans on Twitter have joined thousands of Zambians who have been celebrating around the country since last night. Here is a roundup of tweets congratulating Michael Sata and Zambia for being a model of democracy in Africa.

Zambia: Netizens Report Riots as Poll Results are Delayed

  23 September 2011

Zambian netizens on Thursday 22 September reported widespread riots across the country as a result of delays by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to announce election results for presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. One death has so far been recorded.