Stories about Elections from March, 2012
Mali: Citizens Stunned by Sudden Military Coup
Rengade soldiers have announced that they are seizing power in Mali, after taking over the state television building and presidential palace. They say the government failed to adequately support their troops in an increasingly violent struggle with a Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Election: The Pig, the Wolf or Blank Vote?
The Hong Kong Chief Executive "election" is about to take place. Who are the 1200 privileged election committee members going to vote for? The 'Pig', the 'Wolf', a democratic token or will they cast a blank vote?
Mali: Facing Secession and Food Crisis as Elections Loom
Mali is currently facing critical challenges while preparing for the presidential elections on April 29. After the fall of Gaddafi in Libya, returning Tuareg armed groups posted there threaten to seek secession for the Azawad territory, or Northern Mali.
Egypt: Baheyya Weighs in on Khaled Ali
Renowned Egyptian blogger Baheyya writes about Egypt's youngest presidential candidate – Khaled Ali, who turned 40 last month. “In this maiden presidential race, electability is hard to gauge. But if credibility is a criterion, then Khaled Ali has it in spades,” writes the blogger.
Senegal: Meet Cheikh Bethio Thioune, President Wade Divine Helper
On the blog “Teranga, ici et là”, M-L Jossselin and M-A Boisvert share a video [fr] of Cheikh Bethio Thioune, a prominent leader of The Mouride brotherhood, a promiment order of Islamic Sufism in Senegal. In this video taken at a meeting on March 17, the religious leader declared that the late founder of...
Postscript to East Timor Presidential Elections
The incumbent president of East Timor conceded defeat in the recent presidential election which was hailed by both citizens and international observers as generally peaceful and credible. Here are other online reactions using the hashtag #eleisaun2012.
Russia: “Anatomy of a Protest” Film Causes “NTV Lies” Scandal
On Sunday, March 18, there were old TV sets, a mock coffin, and plenty of flowers and cookies outside the Ostankino TV tower in Moscow, where a few hundred protesters gathered for a mock funeral of the "truthful television."
Slovakia: Corruption, Parliamentary Elections, and SMER's Comeback
The March 10 victory in the Slovak parliamentary elections is not the first one for the SMER-Social Democracy party. Formerly a communist, now a social democrat, the party's leader Robert Fico has won for the third time in a row already. Tibor Blazko provides background on this year's vote and reviews some of the online reactions.
Mexico: Candidate Vázquez Mota Angers University Students
Presidential candidate and Ibero-American University alumni Josefina Vázquez Mota caused anger and confusion amongst Mexican youth after telling students at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), "I am not perfect, I studied at Ibero.”
Armenia: Parliamentary elections
Writing on Ararat Magazine, Global Voices’ Caucasus Regional Editor interviews analyst Richard Giragosian and examines the political situation in Armenia ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 May 2012. Following the disputed 2008 presidential election which left 10 people dead, Giragosian argues that the authorities must learn to govern and...
East Timor: Notes on the Presidential Elections
The election campaign in East Timor lasted for 15 days and the voters are now ready to elect a new president. What happened during the campaign period?
United States: Errors During the Republican Campaign
Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney are not only competing to become the Republican candidate who will face Barack Obama this coming November, but also for whom commits the greater number of errors in a speech or interview. In his recent visit to Puerto Rico Santorum declared that speaking English was a prerequisite for it to become the 51st state.
Macedonia: Fuel Prices Continue to Rise
Continuous increase of fuel prices is a cause of much concern for citizens of Macedonia, and some vent the tension through humor.
Myanmar: Suu Kyi Speech Leaked on YouTube
The election campaign speech of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was leaked on the internet before its scheduled broadcast on state media. Suu Kyi criticized the negative legacy of military rule in her country.
Malaysia to Impose Minimum Wage Policy Soon
Malaysia has reportedly set a minimum wage policy for the first time in the country’s history. Netizens discuss whether the measure will be good for the economy.
El Salvador: Netizens Cover Legislative and Mayoral Elections
Netizens covered the legislative and mayoral elections held on Sunday, March 11, through blogs and on Twitter with the hashtag #eleccionesSV. As results were reported, bloggers analyzed what the new National Assembly will look like after a victory of the conservative party ARENA.
Kyrgyzstan: Local elections in the uneasy southern province
Nathan Hamm writes about the last week’s municipal elections in Osh, where nationalist opposition parties seem to get a significant share in the city council, analyzes the southern city's electorate, and reminds that Kyrgyzstan is often characterized as politically divided between north and south.
Egypt: Flip Flop Economics to Debate the Presidential Elections
Egyptians go to the polls in May to election their new president, after 32 years of Hosni Mubarak's rule. Preparations for the big event are in full swing on the ground, generating debate which is spilling online. Tarek Amr takes a closer look at a debate between netizens discussing the merits and shortcomings of one presidential candidate.
India: UP Elections – A Political Drama!
India recently saw conclusion of elections in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. The major focus of these elections was on Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in the country where an unexpected outcome shocked everybody.
Egypt: Full List of Presidential Candidates
Egyptian blogger Bassem Sabry posts a full list of Egyptian presidential candidates.
Egypt: Tips for a Presidential Candidate
Egyptian blogger Mohamed ElDahshan writes a post entitled: 10 tips for Khaled Ali. Khaled Ali is an activist and lawyer who is running for the presidency elections.
