Stories about Elections from February, 2012
Russia: An Overview of the Pre-Election Anglophone Blogging
Below is a quick overview of what some of the Anglophone Russia bloggers have been writing during the busy pre-election month of February.
Yemen: Hadi President After 33 Years of Saleh
After 33 long years of Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, Yemen finally inaugurated today a new President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, for the transitional phase, following a whole year of protests. Hadi had assumed his position as president according to a GCC-brokered power deal which made him the sole consensus presidential candidate in the one man election, in which he won 99.8 per cent of the votes.
Haiti: Legislative “Assault” Against Civil Service
“Back in May 2011, undistracted by Haiti’s 4.5-million dollar presidential inauguration, I sounded the alarm about a brewing legislative coup d’etat“: Haiti Chery explains.
Hong Kong: Scandals at the Eve of Chief Executive Selection
Cyril Pereira from Asia Sentinel has an update of the latest development of the selection of Chief Executive (city mayor) in Hong Kong. All candidates picked up by the power...
Russia: The “Big White Circle” Protest in Moscow
On Sunday, Feb. 26, thousands of people gathered in central Moscow for the Big White Circle protest, forming a human chain along most of the length of the Russian capital's 15.6-kilometer/9.7-mile Garden Ring, protesting against corruption and demanding a fair presidential election, which is to take place in one week, on March 4.
Russia: Bloggers’ Photo Reports and Reflections on Pro-Putin Rally in Moscow
On Thursday, February 23, ten days before the March 4 presidential election, the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin addressed thousands of people at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. A number of Moscow-based bloggers attended the event, too. Below is a selection of their photo reports and observations, along with some of the remarks from their audiences.
India: Analysis Of Uttar Pradesh Polls
Offstumped posts analysis of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
East Timor: Cats, Monsters in Pre-Election Video Humor
Less than one month to go for the presidential elections in East Timor, and one of the most original uses of citizen media in the anticipation of the elections is not serious at all - user Slogheinn on Youtube, has uploaded a series of humorous videos that mock four of the best known presidential candidates.
Russia: Pro-Putin Rally in Vladivostok Causes Controversy
Pro-Putin rallies, also known as Putings, took place in many Russian cities last weekend. One such Puting caused a scandal in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, which is renowned for its strong support of the opposition and for anti-Kremlin moods in general. Masha Egupova reports.
Ukraine: Parliamentary Corruption
Taras Kuzio of Jamestown Foundation Blog writes about corruption in Ukraine's parliament and alleged preparations for election fraud.
Yemen: All Set for the One Man Presidential Election
Just one more day to go to Yemen's uncontested and unprecedented “one man” election”, which will start tomorrow, February 21. It will end 33 years of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule and cost the country more than US$48 million.
El Salvador: Facebook Photo Album Documents Worst Examples of Campaigning
Legislative elections for El Salvador are scheduled for March 11, 2012. Tim's El Salvador Blog reports on an interesting Facebook initiative: “The Facebook page called “Sociedad Civil” (Civil Society) is...
China: Wukan Elections Continue and Inspire
Wukan has moved quickly along its path toward clean and fair village elections, inspiring villagers in other parts of the country and winning support from microbloggers all the way up to university halls. However, at least one central government official has blamed the democratic advancements on psychological disorders.
Senegal: Week Before Elections Police and Protesters Clash in Dakar
A week before the presidential elections, Senegal is marred in pre-electoral violence over the candidacy of incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade seeking for a third term. Lova Rakotomalala reports.
Mexico: Citizen Initiative to the Clear the Streets of Election Trash
Every three years, the streets of Mexico are plastered with a thick layer of unending advertisements sporting images of smiling candidates for a variety of elected positions. But after the elections, the advertisements remain for days, weeks and even months. #QuitaUnAnuncio ["TakeDownAnAd"] is a citizen initiative to clean up Mexico City during the election period.
Armenia: Former foreign minister returns to politics
As Armenians prepare to go to the polls in May to elect a new parliament, Unzipped comments on the return of former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian to active politics. The...
Singapore: Politician's Expulsion Triggers By-Election
A by-election has been triggered in Singapore's Hougang Single Member Constituency after the Worker's Party expelled Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong amidst allegations of extramarital affairs. Netizens used the #hougangbyelection hashtag to express their comments about the issue
Martinique, Guadeloupe, France: MP Letchimy Against Minister Guéant
Bloggers and mainstream journalists around the French-speaking blogosphere have been buzzing once more about French Minister of Home Affairs, Claude Guéant, who is notorious for suggesting extreme right-wing policies about national identity, religion and immigration.
Senegal: Reasons Behind the Pre-Election Turbulence
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade was elected head of state in 2000 and has decided to stand for a third term even though that should not be allowed under the constitution. Many Senegalese are protesting the decision to allow him to stand.
Mexico Prepares to Elect a New President
As personalities and political parties in Mexico prepare for the presidential election this year, various bloggers and Twitter users are analyzing its implications while others are seemingly more interested in the ineptitude of the candidates.
Georgia: Allegations made online against billionaire opposition politician
As parliamentary elections approach this year in Georgia, to be followed by a presidential vote in 2013, allegations against Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire opposition politician, have appeared on the Internet....
