· December, 2011

Stories about Elections from December, 2011

Jamaica: why they lost the election

Active Voice analyses yesterday's general election in Jamaica, explaining how Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party — who looked, a month ago, set to be returned to...

30 December 2011

Jamaica: a new prime minister

As Girl with a Purpose reports, the governing Jamaica Labour Party was defeated in yesterday's general election, and People's National Party head Portia Simpson-Miller is Jamaica's new prime minister —...

30 December 2011

Mozambique: On the City of Quelimane, New Epicenter of Politics

Mayoral by-elections in the city of Quelimane, which opposition candidate Manuel de Araújo won, were enthusiastically debated in social networks. Interest in the electoral process went far beyond the provincial city and its repercussions were felt in the capital, Maputo. We document this unexpected end to 2011, an important political moment in Mozambique.

28 December 2011

Russia: Social Network In-Between Security Services and Free Market

RuNet Echo

As social networks in Russia like Vkontakte play an ever increasing role in communication between post-election protesters, so too grows the interest of the security services to limit them. This conflict leads to a hard choice: whether Vkontakte should respond to security service requests, or allow its users uncontrolled protest activity.

28 December 2011

Morocco: The Tale of the February 20 Movement in 20 Videos

A look back at how the Moroccan pro-democracy movement "February 20" has used videos, as very powerful and viral social media tool to get its message across. Hisham Almiraat shares a selection of the 20 most popular and viral videos that marked the course of the February 20 Movement over the past 10 months.

27 December 2011

Russia: The Opposition in St. Petersburg Fails to Reach Understanding

RuNet Echo

December 2011 post-election protest events consist of two elements: 'professional oppositioners' and concerned citizens. In Moscow those two elements managed to get together. In St. Petersburg, however, the meeting was let down by one of the parties. Citizens responded with confusion and disdain.

27 December 2011

Zambia: Has the 90 Days Promise Been Fulfilled?

Zambia’s new government reached its landmark 90 days in government on December 23, a period during which it promised to turn around people’s lives. Netizens on various social networking sites have been assessing the new government’s achievements, if any, and failures.

25 December 2011

Jamaica: politician too loud?

Yvette J. Rowe contemplates a Jamaican election campaign advertisement that portrays opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller as “too loud”: “These ads about attitude and posture are scoring dubious points rather than...

24 December 2011

Bermuda: a blog break?

Is Bermuda’s blogosphere “taking a general break from blogging”? “Many of the newer blogs that set up in the last year or two seem to have generally been abandoned,” writes...

23 December 2011

Jamaica: support for LGBT rights?

In a televised election debate, Jamaica's opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller expressed cautious support for LGBT rights and for repealing the country's buggery laws. Ross Sheil gives a summary of the...

23 December 2011

Jamaica: out of context

In the run-up to a general election in Jamaica, is a political advertisement misrepresenting opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller by taking her comments out of context? Active Voice asks: “is it...

23 December 2011

Russia: Opposition Faces Online Communication Problems

RuNet Echo

The ability to broadcast the events of December 2011 in Russia live online, has made people around the world and in the country the spectators of a truly historical event – the December 22 gathering of some 100-150 opposition activists, who represented thousands of the netizens and millions of not-connected Russians.

23 December 2011

Jamaica: election language

With a general election swiftly approaching in Jamaica, OwenSoft shares an online tool for comparing the frequency of words and phrases in the official election manifestos of the country's main...

22 December 2011

Russia: Alexey Navalny Released From Jail

RuNet Echo

“Everyone's waiting for Navalny ) 5 more minutes! pic.twitter.com/3BRHiuGa,” tweeted [ru] @varlamov a short while ago, posting a picture of the crowd waiting outside a Moscow prison for activist Alexey...

20 December 2011

Jamaica: vote or not?

Idle Yout Speeks asks if he should bother to vote in Jamaica's upcoming general election. “I blame my reluctance … on a deep rooted fear that stemmed from the more...

19 December 2011

Rwanda: Tweeps Debate as President Kagame Eyes Third Term

As debate on whether Rwanda's constitution should be amended to allow for a third term rages on, Rwandan President Paul Kagame says that citizens are free to say that they want him. British journalist Ian Birell responded on Twitter saying, "They're not free, of course, to say he should go…"

15 December 2011