Stories about Elections from July, 2011
Estonia: Party Merger in Peril
Axel Reetz of Estland blog discusses [GER] the consequences of the 2006 merger of Estonia's conservative parties, Pro Patria and Respublica, and how this union is now increasingly questioned, but also sees that unity within other parties in the country is dwindling.
Thailand: Final Vote Count
The final vote count in Thailand's July 3 elections has been uploaded. The opposition won in the elections.
China: Independent Candidates Busy Building Up Support
Amid a crackdown on a small but nationwide movement that has seen Chinese citizens from all walks of life declaring themselves candidates in their upcoming local district-level legislative elections, a few have pressed on, with ads, videos and endless tweets.
Hungary: Changes to Constitutional Court and Electoral Law
Max Steinbeis of Verfassungsblog writes about [GER] changes in the composition of and requirements for Hungary's Constitutional Court as well as the process towards changes in electoral law in the country.
Bhutan: No Uncontested Winners In Election
Bhutanese democracy has an unique system. Tshering Tobgay informs that according to the constitution of the country voters have the right to accept or reject a candidate through vote even if that candidate is the only candidate in that constituency.
Paraguay: Congress Rejects Amendment That Would Allow Presidential Re-Election
Americas Quarterly in its Daily Focus blog reports: “The Paraguayan Congress on Thursday rejected a constitutional amendment that would allow presidential re-election […] Several supporters of the amendment walked out of the hearing in protest of the decision, including Senator Carlos Filizzola, who said, ‘We are turning our backs on...
Trinidad & Tobago: FIFA Report
Globewriter posts what he believes to be FIFA's preliminary report on the Jack Warner and Bin Hamman controversy, which led to Warner's resignation as vice-president.
Tunisia: Registration for Elections Start, Technical Snags Reported
Tunisians started registering on electoral lists yesterday (July 11, 2011) to cast their votes on October 23 to elect a constituent assembly, which will write their country's new constitution. However, technical snags are already being reported.
Argentina: Incumbent Mayor Macri Dominates First Round of Buenos Aires Elections
The day after the celebration of Argentina's Independence on July 9, Buenos Aires' first electoral round gave a conformable victory to the center-right incumbent mayor Mauricio Macri, who won with 47.1% of the vote. He will now have to confront Frente Para la Victoria's candidate Daniel Filmus --who has the support of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner-- in a runoff vote.
Malaysia: Bersih 2.0 Rally Rattles the Government
It was organized to push merely for electoral reforms but Malaysia's huge Bersih rally last weekend which was violently dispersed by the police has grown into a political movement that threatens the image and stability of the government. Bersih is now called by many people as the name of Malaysia's revolution
Ukraine: Tymoshenko's Courtroom Drama
Since late June 2011, former Prime Minister of Ukraine and one of the Orange Revolution's leaders, Yulia Tymoshenko, has been on trial in capital Kyiv for abuse of power regarding a natural gas contract with Russia. If found guilty she faces up to ten years in prison.
China: Lawyers Back Candidates Barred From Recent Election
Amid the growing number of people announcing their candidacy in district-level People's Congress elections this year, one story which continues to generate interest is that of Liu Ping in Jiangxi who, along with two other candidates, was prevented from standing in her local election.
Ghana: On the Proliferation of Grassroots Pressure Groups
Abena is fascinated with the proliferation of grass-root pressure groups taking part in the hotly-contested race between the incumbent president of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills and an unlikely contender in the person of the former first lady of Ghana, Mrs. Nana Konadu Agygeman Rawlings.
Trinidad & Tobago: New Media; New Politics
Plain Talk says that “politics as usual” is irrelevant “in these times of new media, real time information and an empowered and politically active electorate.”
Slovenia: No Early Elections
Sleeping With Pengovsky explains the current political situation in Slovenia and concludes that the early elections aren't likely in the near future.
Mexico: Reactions Following Elections in the State of Mexico
In the July 3 elections of the State of Mexico, social networks and citizen media served as a forum for expressing the most diverse opinions regarding the electoral session, in addition to the reasons and consequences of PRI candidate Eruviel Ávila's victory.
Mexico: Neighborhood Affected by Floods Feels Abandoned on Election Day
On Sunday, July 3, the state of Mexico held gubernatorial elections, but Daniel Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times blog La Plaza reports that in the Colonia Franja del Valle de Mexico neighborhood “residents did not have the time or the energy to go the polls. They spent most of...
Morocco: Reform With the Taste of an Unfinished Business
Throughout the referendum process, the Moroccan blogosphere was divided over the issue of reform. The heated debate shaking the Moroccan society was reflected in social networks. Some are willing to accept the reform proposed by the King. Others question the legitimacy of a process, they say, was marred with irregularities.
Malaysia: More Arrested Before Planned Rally
More people have now been arrested in Malaysia for supporting the Bersih 2.0 rally that is planned to happen on the 9 July, 2011. Some were arrested merely for wearing Bersih T-shirts. The Bersih rally, which has been declared illegal by the government, is organized to demand transparent and clean elections.
Thailand: Netizens React to Opposition Victory
Opposition candidate Yingluck Shinawatra is set to become Thailand’s first female Prime Minister as her Pheu Thai party won more than 260 seats in today’s general elections.
Morocco: A New Constitution Without Much Reform
Moroccans went to the polls today to vote on reforms on a new constitution offered by King Mohammed VI. Although praised by many analysts and royalists, the reforms on the table did not live up to the expectations of activists, who were looking for a democracy. Here are some reactions from social media on how the day went.
