Monthly Archives: June 2011

The government has denied claims from the opposition that the postal voting process in the 1999 and 2008 general elections was manipulated. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said on the contrary, most of the votes in both general elections tilted against the ruling party.

He was responding to a question from Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS-Parit Buntar), who wanted to know the number of ex-servicemen who had registered as ordinary voters at the Dewan Rakyat here today. Nazri said 3,894 ex-servicemen applied to register as ordinary voters last year.

Nigeria: Nigerian Political Science Association on future of democracy in Nigeria | Vanguard

It had become evident during the tenure of Professor Maurice Iwu as Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission that the responsibility for midwifing democracy in Nigeria had been vested in the office of the Chairman of the Commission.

President Jonathan had bought into the understanding of how democracy could be established sustainably in Nigeria- hence his high profiling of what was involved in the choice of a successor to Professor Maurice Iwu. Professor Jega as the Chairman was chosen to ensure a safe delivery of democracy in Nigeria. This was expected of him nationally and internationally.

India: Getting ready for the big day | Hindustan Times

Elections are foundation stones of any democratic country. India is the largest democracy in the world and conducting general elections in India is probably the largest event management its of kind.

The Election Commission of India is a permanent independent constitutional body vested with the powers and responsibility for superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for and conduct of all elections to Parliament and to Legislatures of the States and Union Territories and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President held under article 324 of the Constitution.

Thailand: Vote-buying expected to kick into high gear as Thai election looms | TODAYonline

A total of 2.6 million voters exercised their right to cast votes ahead of the July 3 election yesterday as cases of vote-buying are expected to rise. A poll released on Saturday found that 18.7 per cent of respondents had been exposed to electoral fraud.

Vote-buying has traditionally been rampant the night before election day. In the past, canvassers have been seen carrying bags filled with bank notes to offer to villagers to vote for their parties or candidates. Vote-buying is now carried out in a more subtle matter, such as mobilising voters at a campaign rally.

The Voting News Daily: Ohio Secretary of State Husted draws line against party over photo IDs at voting booths, Elections Officials Prepare For Work, Costs Of Wisconsin Recalls

Ohio: Husted draws line against party over photo IDs at voting booths | The Columbus Dispatch Secretary of State Jon Husted, a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, was front and center this week in a dispute over photo IDs at voting booths – and his tiff was not with Democrats. Husted drew a line in the sand against his…

Ohio: Husted draws line against party over photo IDs at voting booths | The Columbus Dispatch

Secretary of State Jon Husted, a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, was front and center this week in a dispute over photo IDs at voting booths – and his tiff was not with Democrats. Husted drew a line in the sand against his own party by publicly objecting to Republican-backed legislation that would require voters to present a photo identification at the polls.

“I stand for what I believe in,” Husted said in a phone interview with The Dispatch yesterday. “You go out, and you campaign and talk about being fair. If you want to have any credibility, you’ve got to do what you said you would do. I said I’d be fair and even-handed.”

Wisconsin: Elections Officials Prepare For Work, Costs Of Wisconsin Recalls | WISC Madison

This summer’s planned recall elections for state senators will likely cost counties and municipalities thousands of dollars. The unprecedented elections, prompted by the collective bargaining legislation and accompanying protests, are putting local clerks to work in their off-season and leading to unexpected costs. Many workers are now scrambling on a short timetable to get things ready for the elections.

Columbia County Clerk Sue Moll was testing recall primary ballots for the 14th state Senate district on Friday as part of preparations for the recall election. She said that the summer is typically a time of planned vacations and a catch-up season for elections workers.

“It’s time here, normally, I would have a staff person doing this. She’s not available. Her last day was Monday so we normally have three staff. We’re down to two,” she said.

Ohio: ‘Most Restrictive’ Voter ID Law In The Country Loses Support Of Republican Secretary Of State | TPM

The Ohio state Senate was set to consider this week what critics are calling the most restrictive voter identification law in the country. The push for restrictive voter ID measures in the Buckeye state is part of a trend of similar legislation sweeping Republican-controlled legislatures across the country.

But Ohio’s measure is so restrictive — it requires the photo IDs to be issued by the state, so voters couldn’t identify themselves with their full Social Security numbers — that it lost the support of Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted.

“I want to be perfectly clear, when I began working with the General Assembly to improve Ohio’s elections system it was never my intent to reject valid votes,” Husted said in a short statement posted on his official website. I would rather have no bill than one with a rigid photo identification provision that does little to protect against fraud and excludes legally registered voters’ ballots from counting,” Husted said.

Ohio: Secretary of State Husted at odds with GOP lawmakers over photo ID bill | Examiner.com

In a statement Friday afternoon that may earn him his own profile in courage award, new Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted parted ways with many of his former GOP colleagues, who are poised to pass a bill next week that would impose a new standard to vote in Ohio. Democrats and other election experts say it is both unnecessary and a likely violation of federal election law, and that it would leapfrog Ohio over Georgia and Indiana, two states whose voter laws are currently perceived as the harshest ones in the nation.

Husted minced no words on whether he would capitulate to or oppose an attempt by a Republican-led legislature to require an otherwise registered voter to present a valid photo ID before voting. The bill in question, HB 159, raced through the Ohio House and is expected to come to the floor of the Senate next week, where the GOP enjoys a lopsided majority of 23-10.

Yesterday, at a media conference held to discuss other matters, Ohio’s Republican Gov. John Kasich, who won the office last November with only 23.5 percent of registered voters or less than half of half of Ohio’s voting population, told reporters he anticipates signing the bill that would preempt voter fraud, a phenomena Republicans have long claimed is rampant while actual evidence for its practice is slim to none.

Egypt: Army committed to September polls in Egypt | AFP

Egypt’s ruling military council remains committed to holding parliamentary elections in September, despite mounting calls for a delay, a military source told AFP on Monday.

“The military council insists on what it has already announced regarding (holding) elections at the end of September, in accordance with the result of a referendum” held in March, the source said. The military council was responding to statements by Vice President Yehia al-Gamal, who told a satellite channel on Sunday that the army had agreed to postpone the polls to December.

In March, Egyptians voted 77 percent in favour of constitutional amendments which confirmed the army’s proposed timetable for parliamentary elections ahead of the drafting of a new constitution.

Indiana: White hopes atypical family tale has silver lining | The Journal Gazette

Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White’s descriptions of his complicated personal life may have been more than some voters bargained for as the state’s top elections official fought for his political future before the Indiana Recount Commission last week.

But if there’s a silver lining for White, who faces voter fraud allegations that could cost him his job and his freedom, it could be that he presented himself as a family man — something that political observers say resonates with Hoosier voters.

The White case has become a rare unloading of all things deeply personal in a state where the family life of a politician — from Gov. Mitch Daniels’ divorce and remarriage to the same woman to Rep. Dan Burton’s child born out of wedlock — gets little scrutiny.

Wisconsin: What if they held an election and the results didn’t count? | Wisconsin Reporter

Wisconsin’s political parties may be trying every trick possible, from spoiler candidates to lawsuits, to manipulate the recall elections scheduled this summer. But the people on the ground, who have little opportunity to affect the process, will be facing the consequences.

For the officials running the elections, it’s a nasty and expensive headache that comes at the height of summer when employees typically take vacation, and voters’ attention is anywhere but on elections.

“For this time of year, it’s very hectic,” Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg said. Still, candidates and campaign managers say they are proceeding as if no uncertainty exists — and believe voters will, too.

Editorials: New Florida Voting Law: Voting Ban On Final Sunday | TheLedger.com

The Legislature’s recent changes to Florida’s elections law were so massive and controversial, it would be ironic if the overhaul came tumbling down because of one slightly obscure overstep. Here’s hoping that’s the case.

The overstep, pointed out June 12 in a front-page article by The Ledger’s Lloyd Dunkelberger, was the Legislature’s decision to disallow early voting on the Sunday before an election that features state or federal races.

That tweak might not seem like much, against the backdrop of the numerous and damaging changes imposed by the new law — such as tougher restrictions on voter registration, a severe reduction of the early voting period, and limitations aimed at young and absentee voters.

South Carolina: Haley poised to act on state budget – funding for primary election in jeopardy | TheState.com

South Carolina’s much-watched first-in-the-South Republican presidential primary could become a far less important first-in-the-South caucus.
Without the help of the state, the party may not legally be able to hold a primary in early 2012, Chad Connelly, the recently elected chairman of the S.C. GOP, said Friday.

Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to veto part of a state budget proposal, now on her desk, that could partially pay for that primary. Connelly is concerned that veto would mean the State Election Commission could not help run the GOP primary, forcing the party to opt for a caucus.

Switching to a caucus would end the state’s three-decade tradition of holding the first-in-the-South primary. That primary’s importance has been bolstered by state Republican voters’ record of picking the eventual GOP nominee in every race since Ronald Reagan in 1980. The state also would lose national exposure, prestige and millions of dollars that campaigns, media and others spend during the event.

South Carolina: South Carolina primary has money troubles | POLITICO.com

South Carolina’s primary — and its state pride — is on the line. Faced with a state GOP that’s low on cash and a governor who’s cut off taxpayer funds, officials are scrambling to put together the $1.5 million necessary to run operations for the 2012 GOP presidential primary.

Primaries used to be the parties’ burden. But in 2008, Republicans and Democrats won state funding for their presidential primaries, which now allow crossover voting, putting their management in the hands of the State Election Commission for the first time. With tough economic times in the Palmetto State, the expected funding has now gotten tangled in a budget fight, and Republican Gov. Nikki Haleyshows no signs of giving in to the state GOP’s new request for funding.

The State Election Commission on Friday won some relief when the state budget office advised that the agency would be able to use leftover cash from last year’s elections, up to $680,000, for next year’s state primaries and elections — even if Haley vetoes the measure in the budget bill.

But that still leaves them almost $1 million short.

Pennsylvania: Voter ID law would cause extra red tape for Amish | The Times Leader

Amish voters in Pennsylvania would be included in a requirement to show government-issued identification in each election under legislation approved by the state House last week, but they could get an exemption from the requirement for a photo on the ID card.

Lawmakers tell the (Lancaster) Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era that Plain sect voters would be able to get a religious exemption from the provision requiring a photograph on ID cards. But to do so, they will have to clear more regulatory hurdles than the average voter, since getting such a card involves providing PennDOT with a statement of their beliefs signed by their church district’s bishop.

Rep. John Lawrence, R-Chester, who wrote the bill’s exemption provisions, said “They have to show a state-issued ID just like other voters. They’re not getting a pass.”

West Virginia: Fayetteville WV mayoral election: Feazell to demand recount | The Register-Herald

According to a Friday news release from Fayetteville mayoral candidate Thomas Feazell, he will demand a recount of the election. The initial result of the election put incumbent Jim Akers ahead by just five votes. Initially refusing to concede the election, Feazell did not pick up enough votes from challenged voters to win the race, but did narrow the gap to only three votes.

“Each and every voter in Fayetteville deserves to be certain that their vote counted and was counted correctly,” Feazell said in a statement. “That’s what I hope this recount ensures.”

Afghanistan: Afghan MPs appeal to UN over poll row | AFP

Afghan lawmakers Sunday urged the United Nations to support their resistance to moves by a special election tribunal to throw over 60 of them out of parliament over alleged vote fraud.

The members of parliament (MPs) met the United Nations representative in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, amid a spiralling crisis gripping the country’s political system weeks before foreign troops start to withdraw.

Some analysts accuse Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who ordered the establishment of the special tribunal, of using it to try and boost the number of his supporters in Afghanistan’s lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga.

Pakistan: Elections deferred in three Azad Jammu and Kashmir constituencies | PakTribune

Muzaffarabad High Court (MHC) has postponed elections on three constitutional assembly seats in LA-30, 36 and 41 constituencies of Azad Kashmir, our sources reported.

According to sources, citizens of LA-41 constituency appealed in the MHC that their names have been removed from the voters’ list. They demanded that their names should be added back in the list. As a consequence, MHC has deferred voting in the constituency that was to take place on Sunday. Elections in LA-30 Karachi Jammu 1 and LA-36 Karachi Kashmir Valley 1 have also been called off.

Pakistan: MQM boycotts Azad Jammu & Kashmir elections | The Express Tribune

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has boycotted the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly elections. The boycott comes after the Azad Kashmir Election Commission had announced the postponement of elections for three constituencies, including two in Karachi, citing security reasons and a High Court order to include names of voters who had been removed from the list.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had been pressuring the MQM to give up a Kashmir seat from one Karachi constituency. He said the government had set up polling stations in sensitive area of Karachi where MQM workers and voters could not go and vote freely.

Pakistan: Azad Jammu Kashmir elections: Balloting ends amidst accusations of rigging | The Express Tribune

Balloting has ended for Azad Jammu Kashmir elections across the country amid violence and rigging allegations. The vote count is currently ongoing.
The elections sparked widespread violence with reports of two people being killed in Mirpur and Muzzafarabad.

Also in Lahore, voting for LA-37 was cancelled by the Election Commission after workers of the PPP and PML-N clashed with each other.

More than 2.9 million voters were expected to take part in the elections. In Lahore, 13 polling stations were set up and at least 600 police officials were deployed to provide security to up to 6,000 voters in the city.

Thailand: Election Commission admits technical glitches in Thai advance election | mcot.net

Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn on Monday admitted that there were some technical glitches in the advance election on Sunday as slightly over 50 per cent of eligible voters who had registered for advance voting exercised their rights.

Mr Suthipol said the advance election nationwide was run smoothly in general, with some 1.49 million voters or 55.6 per cent of some 2.6 million voters who had registered for advance voting outside their constituencies casting their ballots. Meanwhile, some 90 per cent of voters who registered to vote in advance at their constituencies exercised their rights.

Thailand: Stage set for advance voting in Thai election | The Nation

Over 2.6 million Thais are today set to cast their votes in advance ahead of the July 3 election, representing more than 5 per cent of the total eligible voters. Their returns will not be counted until July 3, when all returns are collected by the Election Commission.

Out of the country’s 47 million eligible voters, about 2.6 million have registered to exercise their right in advance as they will not be in their constituencies on election day. Another 210,000 Thais also have registered for advance voting in their constituency. But if they do not exercise their right today these people can still cast their votes on July 3 at their respective constituencies.

Thailand: Thai Election Commission satisfied with advance voting | XinhuaNet

Thailand’s Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said that he is satisfied with the advance voting which largely went on smoothly throughout the country Sunday.

Apichart said this at a venue for the advance voting in Bangkok while he was witnessing the closing of the ballot box at 03:00 p.m. local time. In Bangkok, the ballot boxes would be kept at district offices and watched by guards around the clock with the help from closed- circuit cameras.

The Voting News Weekly: TVN Weekly June 20-26 2011

June 26, 2011

: Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted

Bills requiring voters to present a photo ID have passed Republican-dominated legislatures in many states and several have been vetoed by Democratic Governors, including Governor Perdue’s veto this week in North Carolina. Republican Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted challenged the Voter ID provisions included in an omnibus election bill by legislators from his own party. Indiana Secretary of White testified before the State Recount Commission regarding the status of his voter registration during the May 2010 primary – a decision on whether he can remain in office is expected next week. In a suspension vote requiring a two thirds majority, the US House defeated a bill that would have eliminated the Election Assistance Commission. An LA Times article reported on the explosion of recall elections across the country and a Washington Post editorial considered how the flurry of GOP-backed changes in state election codes will effect the 2012 election. Maine Governor LePage signed a controversial bill that would end nearly four decades of election day registration in the state, while a coalition of organization vowed to bring the measure to the ballot as a referendum in November. The Bangladesh National Party has announced it will boycott elections using electronic voting and computer scientist David Jefferson writes about the national security threat posed by email and fax delivery of voted ballots.

The Voting News Daily: Voter ID bill is praised, panned in Pennsylvania, In work on recalls, elections chief Kevin Kennedy battles charges of partisanship

Pennsylvania: Voter ID bill is praised, panned in Pennsylvania | The Times Leader On a near-party line vote, the state House of Representatives approved a Republican-backed bill late Thursday night that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled state Senate for consideration. The 108-88 vote…

Pennsylvania: Voter ID bill is praised, panned in Pennsylvania | The Times Leader

On a near-party line vote, the state House of Representatives approved a Republican-backed bill late Thursday night that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled state Senate for consideration.

The 108-88 vote saw all but one Republican who was present vote in favor of House Bill 934. All 87 Democrats present for the vote voted against the measure. Rep. Chris Ross, R-Unionville, was the lone dissenting Republican.

Some Democratic representatives serving portions of Luzerne County blasted the partisan vote and called the bill unnecessary. “This is a solution in search of a problem,” said Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre. He noted that since 2004, 20 million votes have been cast in Pennsylvania and six people have been arrested for voter fraud.

Wisconsin: In work on recalls, elections chief Kevin Kennedy battles charges of partisanship | The Capital Times

Wisconsin’s non-partisan Government Accountability Board has seen its profile rise in the past several months with the pending recall elections, a statewide Supreme Court recount, redistricting and the implementation of a recently passed photo ID bill all falling under its purview.

Created through the merger of the state’s Elections and Ethics boards three years ago, the board is tasked with enforcing state elections, ethics and campaign finance laws. Lately staff members have had to navigate their duties in what director and general counsel Kevin Kennedy calls “politically charged times.”

Indiana: White’s eligibility to hold office to be decided Tuesday | The Indianapolis Star

The Indiana Recount Commission will determine Secretary of State Charlie White’s eligibility to hold office on Tuesday – two days sooner than planned. The commission heard testimony this week regarding Democrats’ complaint that White was illegally registered to vote at the time he declared his candidacy and is ineligible to serve. The Democrats say White should be replaced by Democrat Vop Osili, who White defeated by a large margin last November. The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the facts of the case and rule on the Democrats’ challenge. It was originally scheduled to announce its decision on Thursday.

White is accused of using his ex-wife’s address on his voter registration records. The Democrats suspect that he was living in a condo he purchased for him and his new wife. This week’s hearing lasted seven hours, and White testified for about two hours.

Ohio: Go Jon Husted! | Rock the Vote Blog