African Elections Project: October 2010

Friday, October 29, 2010

African Elections Project (AEP) News

African Elections Project (AEP) News

your authoritative online information and knowledge service for Elections in Africa

African Elections News (English edition): 29th October 2010

CONTENTS:
1. News and Updates
2. African Elections Factsheet
3. ICTs and Elections
4. African Elections Calendar
5. Publications

###########################################
In this edition
1. News and Updates : President Sirleaf not Afraid of Opposition merger says press secretary
Cote d'Ivoire to set up an independent committee of expert to monitor election tally
Commonwealth election observers for Tanzania
Guinea Presidential Candidates Call for Calm after Vote Delay
Fear, anxiety build up ahead of Tanzania's election showdown on Sunday
Museveni faces seven opponents

3. African Elections Project – Nigeria Factsheet
4. ICTs and Elections: Cell phones to promote democratic and fairer elections in Africa

5. African Elections Calendar 2010-2011 for six Countries

6. Featured Website: featured site for African elections in Guinea

7 Publications, Events and Opportunities: we provide you with updates on latest
Publications, events and opportunities in the African elections space

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

News and Updates

President Sirleaf not Afraid of Opposition merger says press secretary

The Press Secretary to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,says there is no cause of alarm with the news by the opposition parties to form stronger alliance to defeat President Ellen Johnson in the 2011 presidential elections. President Ellen Sirleaf calls this a healthy political process and an avenue for less confusing decision making, since electorate would have fewer presidential candidates to choose from.
Read more: :http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Liberia-President-not-Afraid-Badio-25october10-105655848.html

Cote d'Ivoire to set up an independent committee of expert to monitor election tally

Prime Minister Guillaume Soro announced on Sunday that an independent “committee of experts” would be set up to monitor the vote tallying exercise after the Oct. 31 presidential elections. The country’s Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) thought it prudent to resort to manual vote counting method. The "committee of experts" would be composed of technocrats from the prime minister's office, CEI, the representative of Burkina Faso's president who is the mediator in Cote d'Ivoire's crisis, a Swiss information and technology firm and the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI).
Read more: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7176524.html

Commonwealth election observers for Tanzania

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will be deplored to Tanzania to take part in its General Elections observation process. The election is due to be held on 31 October 2010. The Group’s mandate would be to observe the preparations for the election, the polling, the counting and the results process, and the overall electoral environment. The team will be there to assess the conduct of the process as a whole and where appropriate, make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral framework in Tanzania, including the process in Zanzibar.
Read more: http://frontierindia.net/wa/commonwealth-election-observers-for-tanzania/2116/

Guinea Presidential Candidates Call for Calm after Vote Delay

Guinea's presidential candidates are calling for calm after violence erupted between their supporters following the indefinite postponement of an election that was scheduled for 24 October.

Former Prime Minister Cellou Diallo and long-time opposition leader Alpha Conde are both urging their supporters to stay calm after looting in the capital and the intervention of security forces to separate the rival camps proved futile.
Read more: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Guinea-Presidential-Candidates-Call-for-Calm-After-Vote-Delay-105627248.html

Fear, anxiety build up ahead of Tanzania's election showdown on Sunday

For a country that has been known for political stability, Tanzania’s election this time round is like no other: A first-time opposition candidate, Willbrod Slaa of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), whose candidature was a political gamble that is paying off, throwing the race wide open; last-minute electoral reforms; talk of rigging and fear of violence.

Read more: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/1038742/-/ongbjyz/-/index.html

Museveni faces seven opponents

President Yoweri Museveni will face seven opponents in the 2011 presidential race after three more candidates were nominated yesterday. Elections are scheduled for February 18.

The three candidates nominated yesterday were Peoples Development Party (PDP) president Abed Bwanika, Uganda Peoples Congress chief Olara Otunnu, and Samuel Lubega, the only independent candidate in the presidential race. They join Kizza Besigye (FDC), Nobert Mao (DP), Bidandi Ssali of the Peopples’ Progressive Party and Uganda Federal Alliance’s Beti Kamya, who were nominated on Monday.

Read more: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/736213

African Elections Factsheet:

In this edition, our factsheet focuses on Nigeria elections expected to take place on January 2011. Click here

ICTs and Election

Cellphones to promote democratic and fairer elections in Africa

Mobile phones have a promising future for promoting democratic and fairer elections in Africa some experts say. Many African countries have struggled against rigged elections and authoritarian rule since gaining independence last century. However, African observers say the growth of simple communication technologies like cell phones are assisting many states to progress towards open and fair elections in increasingly democratic systems. Senegal is one of a number of African countries to hold successful elections by keeping voting and counting in check through independent communication. Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said/reckons many African nations now have a "very open society" and the increasing success of elections owed a lot to the existence of mobile phones.
Read more: http://www.electionwatch.org.na/node/79

African Elections Calendar

Guinea (2nd round) - 24th October 2010(updated)
Cote d voire-31st October 2010
Tanzania-1st November 2010
Niger- 31st January 2011
Burkina faso-21st November 2010
Equatorial Guinea-December 2010
Nigeria- 22nd January 2011
Benin-March 2011
Cameroun- October 2011
DRC- 27th November 2011
Egypt- September 2011
The Gambia- September 2011
Liberia- 11th October 2011
Uganda- February 2011
Zambia- 2011
Liberia-2011

Publications and Opportunities:

1. EISA Election Observer Mission Report.28th September2006: http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/zameom2006.pdf
2. Political Integration and Democratization in Southern Africa: Progress, Problems and prospects: http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/rr47.pdf
3. Some opportunities under Contract Awards List: http://www.ifesbuyersguide.com/procurement_awards_list.php
4. Some job opportunities: http://aceproject.org/today/vacancies

Connect with African Elections Project
Twitter – www.twitter.com/africanelection
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117355568298287
Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2959338
Blog http://africanelections.blogspot.com/

African Elections Project - Nigeria Fact Sheet

Name of Country: Nigeria
Capital City: Abuja
Size: 351,649 sq mi (910,771 sq km); total area: 356,667 sq mi (923,768 sq km)
Population: (2010 est.): 152,217,341
Political System: Democracy
Currency: Naira

SHORT POLITICAL HISTORY: Nigeria gained independence from the British on 1st October 1960. In 1963, the country transitioned itself into a Federal Republic with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the first president and finally separating from the British legacy. The emergence of a democratic Nigeria in May 1999 ended 16 years of consecutive military rule. Olusegun Obasanjo became the president of a country suffering economic stagnation and the deterioration of most of its democratic institutions. His re-election in 2003 demonstrated improvements in facing government corruptions and economic development. In the year 2007, general elections was held. Umaru Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, both of the People's Democratic Party, were elected President and Vice President, respectively. The election was marred by electoral fraud, and denounced by other candidates and some international observers. Yar’Adua's presidency ensued with uncertainty as media reports said he suffered from kidney and heart disease. In November 2009 he fell ill and was flown to Saudi Arabia for medical attention where he died in May 2010. Since then, Goodluck Jonathan has been acting as President of Nigeria to date.

Last Presidential Elections: 21st April 2007

Next Election Date: 22 January 2011

Results of last Presidential Elections: Presidential: Umaru Yar'Adua (Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 69.82 % and Muhammadu Buhari (All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) 18.72 %

Current President: Goodluck Jonathan

Current Vice President: Namadi Sambo

Electoral Management Body: Independent National Election Commission (INEC)

Administrative Regions of Nigeria
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno , Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano , Kogi, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe , Zamfara

Political Parties
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
Action Congress (AC)
Progressive Peoples Alliance ( PPA)
Democratic Peoples Party (DPP)
All Progressives Grand Alliance
Alliance for Democracy (AD)
Fresh Democratic Party
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Hope Democratic Party
African Liberation Party (ALP)
African Political System (APS)
National Democratic Party
Citizens Popular Party (CPP)
Better Nigeria Party
National Conscience Party
National Action Council
Nigerian Masses Movement

Leading Contenders in the last elections : Umaru Yar'Adua of People's Democratic Party (PDP), Muhammadu Buhari of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Atiku Abubakar of Action Congress (AC)

Observers and key Groups: The European Union (EU), ECOWAS, The Institute for Advancement of Democracy (TIAD), National Democratic Institute ( NDI), International Republican Institute (IRI), African Union ( AU), the United Nation ( UN), The Carter Centre

Key News Websites:
Independent National Election Commission (INEC) - http://www.inecnigeria.org/
The Guardian- http://guardiannewsngr.com/
The Punch- http://www.punchng.com/
GoodLuck Jonathan - http://www.facebook.com/jonathangoodluck

Leadership- http://www.leadershipeditors.com/ns/

GoodLuck Jonathan- http://twitter.com/goodluckjonathn

GoodLuck Jonathan- http://www.goodluckjonathanfor2011.com/

SOME POLITICAL PARTIES WEBSITE, TWITTER AND FACE BOOK

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peoples-Democratic-PartyNigeria/101640566549858
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55784828367
Action Congress (AC) http://www.facebook.com/pages/ACTION-CONGRESSNIGERIA/120521421317516?v=info
Progressive Peoples Alliance ( PPA)- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64525618711
All Progressives Grand Alliance- http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Progressives-Grand-Alliance/107972922564890
Alliance for Democracy (AD)- http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-for-Democracy/108531452504029`
Fresh Democratic Party- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Okotie-2011-POWERED-BY-FRESH-DEMOCRATIC-PARTY/10150117581345511

John Kufuor conduit la délégation du Centre Carter pour observer l'élection présidentielle du 31 octobre en Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan…L'ancien Président du Ghana John Kufuor va diriger la mission internationale d'observation électorale du Centre Carter, conjointement avec le Dr. John Stremlau, Vice-président des Programmes pour la paix au Centre Carter. La mission du Centre sera composée de 40 observateurs provenant de 23 différents pays. L'élection présidentielle marque une étape majeure dans le processus de sortie de crise, devant permettre à la Côte d'Ivoire de tourner définitivement la page du conflit et renouer avec le processus de démocratisation.

Présent en Côte d'Ivoire depuis 2008, le Centre Carter a déployé des observateurs internationaux à trois reprises depuis l'opération d'identification de la population et de recensement électoral. Début octobre 2010, dix observateurs de long terme ont été déployés à travers le pays pour suivre les préparatifs électoraux et la campagne électorale. Ils vont être rejoints cette semaine par l'ensemble de la délégation, y compris les co-leaders John Kufuor est John Stremlau, pour observer les opérations de vote, dépouillement et de consolidation des résultats.

S.E.M. John Kufuor et M. Stremlau rencontreront notamment les principaux candidats, la Commission Electorale Indépendante, l'ONUCI et des représentants des groupes d'observateurs nationaux et internationaux, afin de partager les analyses sur les préparatifs électoraux et les éventuelles inquiétudes.

Le Centre Carter constate divers défis logistiques et organisationnels dans cette dernière ligne droite avant le scrutin, en particulier la distribution des cartes d'électeurs et d'identité, la finalisation du recrutement et la formation des membres des bureaux de vote, et le manque de clarté et d'informations au sujet du système de compilation et transmission des résultats. Néanmoins, le Centre est encouragé par l'engagement des candidats à conduire une campagne apaisée et à accepter les résultats d'une élection crédible. Il est important que les acteurs politiques s'appliquent à honorer leurs promesses de campagnes promouvant la réconciliation nationale et des élections apaisées.

http://cartercenter.org/news/pr/cotedivoire-102710.html

African Elections Project to Cover Cote d'Ivoire 2010 Presidential Elections

Press Release

For immediate release

Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire, 29th October 2010

The African Elections Project (AEP) http://www.africanelections.org/coted'ivoire/ will be covering Cote d'Ivoire general election, taking place on Sunday 31^st October 2010 to elect a president out of the 14 candidates. AEP was established in 2008 to empower journalists to cover elections using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across the continent. AEP has successfully covered elections in Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Mauritania, Mozambique, Malawi, Togo and with plans are far advanced to cover Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Uganda, Cameroon and Niger.

According to Kofi Mangesi who is leading a team of journalists to cover the elections said "African Elections Project is excited that Cote d'Ivoire is finally taking place after years of delay. He added that AEP is committed to contribute to a better election by working with the media and civil society organizations through the provision of independent information and impartial coverage using ICTs".

In addition to its flagship online portal, http://www.africanelections.org/coted'ivoire/ AEP is covering this elections using other new media tools such as facebook, blogs, frontlineSMS and twitter http://www.twitter.com/cotedivoirevote .

The African Elections Project is coordinated by Ghana based International Institute for ICT Journalism (www.penplusbytes.org ) working hand in hand with other key partners across the continent. The Open Society Initiative for West Africa www.osiwa.org is the main strategic and funding partner for AEP project in Cote d'Iovire.

Signed

Théodore Kouadio

AEP Cote d'lvoire

cotedivoire@africanelections.org

--
International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org

Carter Center Urges Calm in Guinea Ahead of Run-off Election

Conakry…The Carter Center calls on all actors involved in Guinea's electoral process to contribute to a peaceful and orderly environment in the period before the presidential run-off election, while ensuring respect for the rights and safety of all individuals, no matter their conviction. The Center also reminds both national and international media of the importance of verifying all information they report to avoid propagating inaccurate information in a volatile electoral environment.

The Center commends the president of the transition, General Sekouba Konaté, for his leadership in resolving the crisis at the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) and for his continued determination to guide the transition process in the spirit of the agreement signed in Ouagadougou on Jan. 15, 2010.

Carter Center observers have been deployed in the country since May 2010 and continue to monitor the process. The Center is committed to working closely with the Guinean authorities and people, who have warmly welcomed our presence. We hope that all Guineans will maintain their unity, calm, and patience in the coming weeks in order to successfully complete this historic transition process.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said, "I commend the Guinean people for the patience they have shown during this extended process and encourage them to remain peaceful."

Monday, October 25, 2010

African Elections Project (AEP) News

your authoritative online information and knowledge service for Elections in Africa

African Elections News (English edition): 22^nd October 2010

CONTENTS:

1. News and Updates

2. African Elections Factsheet

3. ICTs and Elections

4. African Elections Calendar

5. Publications

6. Featured Website

7. Elections Online Resources

8. Events and People

###########################################

In this edition

1. News and Updates : Weah calls for the opposition to unite for victory against the ruling party in the next presidential election

EU has declared it readiness for the 2011 elections in Nigeria

SADC chief expects credible elections

UN Envoy Reports Peaceful Start to Election Campaign

Clashes ahead of Guinea run-off

3. African Elections Project – Liberia FactSheet

4. ICTs and Elections: Mobile phones to help voters know their status

5. African Elections Calendar 2010-2011 for six Countries

6. Featured Website: featured site for African elections in Guinea

7. Elections Online Resources: listing of key online elections resources

8 Publications, Events and Opportunities: we provide you with updates on latest

Publications, events and opportunities in the African elections space

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

News and Updates

Weah calls for the opposition to unite for victory against the ruling party in the next presidential election

George Weah, the leader of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in Liberia said his party is prepared to unite forces with other opposition parties contesting the 2011 election to wrestle power from Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's SirLeaf's ruling government. This he said is the only way to defeat the ruling Unity Party and reverse what he called a one-party political system.

Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Liberia-Politics-Nagbe-18october10-105157069.html

EU declares its readiness for the 2011 elections in Nigeria

The European Union has declared its readiness for the 2011 Nigerian election. The commitment was made when the leader of the EU met with the leadership of the Nigerian Senate on 13^th October 2010. He said, an election monitoring group would soon be deplored to Nigeria. In the same light, other independent bodies like the National Democratic Institute for Foreign Affairs have also declared their readiness to support INEC in its efforts to conduct credible, free and fair elections in 2011.

Source: http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/12100-eu-to-monitor-2011-elections

SADC chief expects credible elections

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observer Mission has pledged to present a fair report that reflects the wishes of the people, after the general elections at the end of this month in Tanzania. In addition, the report the Chair promised would be ready two days after the elections. This was revealed at the launch of the SADC Election Observer Mission in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

Source: http://www.dailynews.co.tz/election/index_news.php?articleID=633

UN Enyoy Reports Peaceful Start to Election Campaign

Côte d'Ivoire's presidential campaigns have started peacefully without violence. These campaigns prelude the presidential elections slated for 31^st October 2010 which is expected to end the division of the West African country caused by civil war since 2002. Young-jin Choi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative to Côte d'Ivoire revealed this yesterday after meeting with the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission in Abidjan.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201010191096.html

Clashes ahead of Guinea run-off

There have been sporadic clashes between the leading presidential candidate's supporters and the police as tension mount ahead of presidential run-off on the 24^th of October. Two protesters have been killed and several others injured in street clashes with police in Guinea's capital, Conakry.

Source: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/201010205344798530.html

African Elections Factsheet:

In this edition, our factsheet focuses on Liberia elections expected to take place on October 2011. Click here

ICTs and Election

Mobile phones to update voters on election status

A news item carried by the DailyNews, Tanzanian daily newspaper yesterday reported that voters for the November 2010 presidential elections will be notified on their mobile phones on where to cast their votes through SMS. This technology according to the newspaper is made possible as a result of collaboration between the Electoral Commission and mobile phone companies.

Source: http://www.dailynews.co.tz/home/?n=13906&cat=home

African Elections Calendar

Guinea (2nd round) - 24^th October 2010

Cote d voire-31^st October 2010

Tanzania-1^st November 2010

Niger- 31st January 2011

Burkina faso-21^st November 2010

Equatorial Guinea-December 2010

Nigeria- 22^nd January 2011

Benin-March 2011

Cameroun- October 2011

DRC- 27^thNovember 2011

Egypt- September 2011

The Gambia- September 2011

Liberia- 11^th October 2011

Uganda- February 2011

Zambia- 2011

Publications, Events and Opportunities:

1. http://iospress.metapress.com/content/4hgua3eglj7gdlv3/

2. http://bookstore.usip.org/books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=51278

3. http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/oso/public/content/politicalscience/9780198296454/toc.html

4. http://www.eisa.org.za/events/events.htm

5. http://www.cddghana.org/events.aspx?evt=31

Elections Online Resources

Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa: http://www.eisa.org.za/

Ghana Centre for Democratic Development: http://www.cddghana.org/

The electoral knowledge: http://aceproject.org/

African Election Database: http://africanelections.tripod.com/

African Union Elections assistance Unit: http://www.africa-union.org/root/AU/AUC/Departments/PA/ELECTION_UNIT/AU_Election_Unit.htm

Connect with African Elections Project

Twitter – www.twitter.com/africanelection

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117355568298287

Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2959338

Blog http://africanelections.blogspot.com/

African Elections Project - Liberia Fact Sheet

Name of Country: Liberia

Capital City: Monrovia

Population: 3476608 (2008)

Size: 43000 square miles (111370 square kilometers)

Short Political History : Liberia was founded in 1822. Through periods of persistent struggle and determination, it eventually transitioned to become a Commonwealth and finally gained independence in1847 with the help of the American Colonization Society (a private organization based in the United States). Serious transformation of Liberia began in the early 1770s which saw President William Tubman ruling for 27 years. During his reign, he promoted an "open door" economic policy that brought substantial foreign investment into the country. Unfortunately, he died whiles in office and was succeeded by his long serving Vice President William Tolbert who hailed from the affluent Americo-Liberian descent. His social policy of integrating the more indigenous into government lacked public support hence the bloody coup d'etat in April 1980 led by Army Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, an ethnic Krahn that resulted in Tolbert's murder and the public execution of 13 of his cabinet members. During the reign of the People's Redemption Council (PRC), headed by Sergeant Samuel Doe, there were numerous bloodshed and civil wars

In July 1997, elections were conducted and Charles Taylor was declared winner, garnering nearly75 percent of the vote. Unfortunately for Taylor, he was supporting the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in the civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone and as a result, the UN imposed sanctions on the Liberian government including arms-importation ban, a ban on foreign travel by high-ranking members of the government and their

immediate families and a ban on trading "blood diamonds". There was fierce opposition to Taylor's government from Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), headed by Sekou Conneh, (a businessman married to the daughter of the then Guinea President Lansana Conté) who accused Taylor's government of widespread human rights violations against innocent civilians, as well as child soldier recruitment. Finally, in 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections were held. The presidential election entered its second round. The two first-round frontrunners, Liberian football star and former UNICEF goodwill ambassador George Weah and former World Bank official and economist Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, squared off for runoff elections in November. Johnson-Sirleaf won and set off on a challenging reconstruction agenda to date.

Last Presidential Elections: October 11, 2005 presidential and legislative elections

Next elections date: 11^th October 2011

Results of last election: 59.4% for Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and 40.6% for George Weah

Second Run Date: November 8, 2005 presidential run-off

Current President: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Current Vice President: Joseph Nyumah Boakai

Official Start of Campaign: August 18-October 9, 2011

Electoral Management Body: National Elections Commission of Liberia

Total Votes (Voter Turnout) last election: 987,911 (76.5%)

The 64 House seats are distributed among Liberia's fifteen counties based on its total number of registered voters. Each county is guaranteed by law to have at least two seats. The current seat distribution among the counties is as follows: