Stories about Elections from October, 2008
Africa: Africa's Only McCain Supporter
David Sasaki posts a video of Africa's McCain supporter: In the spirit of post-partisanship, here is a video of what very well might be Africa’s only McCain supporter. If I remember correctly, I think his name is “George Kennedy”.
Cameroon In The Eyes of British And American Volunteers
There are very few Cameroonian bloggers based in Cameroon. This vacuum has been occupied by volunteers working in the country (mainly) for the British organization Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) and the US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV). Their attempts to cope with everyday life in an African country is the main stay of their posts.
Azerbaijan: Election Day
Herron Family News posts photographs and video in a report on yesterday's presidential election in Azerbaijan. The blog says that voters were greeted with music and prizes at some polling stations.
Maldives: Election fever in blogosphere
The presidential election being held in Maldives is the first multi-party election in the country. This election is believed by many Maldivians as their chance to bring democracy to a country that has been ruled dictatorially by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since he became president in November 1978. Gayoom has ruled...
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: “Bushisms”
“Regardless of what people think of Bush he will be remembered for the war in Iraq and standing next to Tony Blair. But mostly he will be remembered for his famous nonsensical quotations…”: Blogging from Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life revisits a few “Bushisms”.
Azerbaijan: Election Day
The View from Baku comments on today's presidential election in Azerbaijan. The blog says that a second term in office for the incumbent, Ilham Aliyev, is a foregone conclusion. The blog also speculates on Aliyev's likely successor when his second and final term in office is over.
Ukraine: Political Fighting and the Delayed Election
Foreign Notes writes about political fighting that is likely to postpone the snap election in Ukraine: “Ukrainians like a lengthy New Year and Orthodox Christmas break. If the VR elections were to be switched to some time after this it would be late Spring before parliament would reconvene – about...
Azerbaijan: Election Eve
Herron Family News reports from Azerbaijan on the eve of tomorrow's presidential election. The blog says that interest in the vote is low and the level of campaigning activity was meager. However, it says that plans to install webcams in polling stations did see the light of day although currently...
Barbados: Blogging Politics
Barbados Underground predicts that “the Internet ‘will’ have a greater impact on the next Barbados General Election than it did on the last.”
Ukraine: Updates on the Crisis
Updates on the political crisis in Ukraine at OpenDemocracy.net – here, here, and here.
Southeast Asia: Views on U.S. elections and politics
U.S. elections matter to many people in Southeast Asia. Both U.S. presidential candidates are popular in the region. McCain was a former Navy pilot during the Vietnam War while a very young Obama lived in Jakarta for five years.
Belarus, EU: Lukashenko – Persona Non Grata No More
Eternal Remont reports that the EU has temporarily suspended a travel ban on Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Lithuania: Populism, parliament and power plant
Dr. Sean's Diary comments on Lithuania's parliamentary elections and the tendency towards populism in Baltic politics, whereas The 8th Cricle adds a discussion on the concurrent referendum, approving a prolongation of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Lituanica posts the full results of both the parliamentary elections and the referendum.
India: Hindu is not a God
Pastor Arnold Conrad termed “Hindu” as a God at a rally for John McCain in Davenport, USA. Varnam reacts: “Our God, Hindu, is not interested in a sophomoric ‘mine is bigger than yours’ competition. Mostly it is because our God, Hindu, is not a God.”
Bangladesh: National ID card project for surveillance?
The Voter ID and the national ID card project in Bangladesh was completed recently by the caretaker (interim) government. The Bangla blogosphere has questioned the transparency of the project and is fearing whether the demographic information collected would be used for surveillance. Details are in E-Bangladesh.
Ukraine: “Swan Song for the Orange Revolution”
Petro of Petro's Jotter remembers the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine as “an incredible, festive, peaceful time of working together as a people” and writes about the upsetting changes that have taken place in the past four years.
Azerbaijan: What Goes Up…
Herron Family News comments on the construction boom in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, but notes that the quality of work leaves much to be desired. Situated in an area of seismic activity, the blog wonders if such an issue can be used by the opposition in the country.
Moroccans for Obama?
"When the Americans are getting ready to elect a president, the whole world holds its breath," writes Moroccon blogger, Robin des Blogs [Fr]. It's a sentiment held by many around the world, but some Moroccon netizens aren't sure which outcome--an Obama or a McCain presidency--would be best for Morocco.
Maldives: Second round of elections
Think Maldives blog informs that the presidential election of Maldives has gone to a second round as none of the candidates could get 50% of the vote. ArtWork predicts who will win in the runoff.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Crossing the Racial Divide
Jamaican diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp has been closely monitoring the US Presidential race and thinks that “there is a need for real patriotism on both sides and for the voices of rationality and impartiality to speak up. America used to have them–before she turned over her media to spin doctors,...
Azerbaijan: Predictable Election
Writing from Azerbaijan, Herron Family News details various meetings that have been held as next week's presidential election draws closer. However, the blog notes, the outcome of the vote is predictable. With the main opposition parties boycotting the election, the incumbent president will be re-elected. The only unanswered question is...
