Stories about Elections from December, 2016
Classic Christmas Carols, Satirically Reimagined as Songs About Hong Kong Politics
To the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas: "Causeway Bay’s boss bought a banned book. He was then arrested, convicted, forced to apologize and escorted to the Shenzhen police station."
When They Censored Messaging Apps on Election Day, Montenegrin Regulators ‘Acted Legally’
Political oppositionists and prominent members of the country's civil society say the government's crackdown on social media harmed Montenegro's freedom of expression at a time when it was most needed.
Morbid Propaganda in Macedonia Takes Aim at Western Ambassadors
"The xenophobia has terrible consequences, doesn't it? Therefore, please stop spreading it!"
Activists Around the World Could Learn From Peru's History of Protest
Look to civil society's innovations in 1990s Peru, and activists around the world today could learn some vital lessons in resisting autocracy.
Macedonia's Ruling Party Lashes Out at Civil Society After Contested Elections
Flyers naming civil society members (so-called “traitors”) were distributed in the mailboxes and under windshield wipers throughout the capital, Skopje. Others were targeted on social media.
Albanians From Macedonia Cross Ethnic Lines to Vote Against Ruling Parties
Ethnicity plays a big role in Macedonian politics, and Albanians are the country's second-largest ethnic community.
Gambians Fear President Jammeh Is ‘Putting the Lives of Citizens at Risk’ With His Rejection of Election Results
In a televised address Jammeh criticised the electoral commission and proposed fresh elections to be organised by "God-fearing" people.
Ghanaians Call Out CNN for Misrepresenting Their Country in Post-Election Coverage
"Such a lazy coverage of a fantastic story by @CNN. No nuance, just the usual template "Africans are suffering."#CNNGetItRight"
The 2016 Word of the Year Down Under? ‘Democracy Sausage’.
'Democracy Sausage', the Australian word of the year, celebrates the sausage sizzles at polling booths on election day.
Hong Kong's Pro-Beijing Chief Executive Is Leaving. But There Are Plenty More Where He Came From
"[Leung] follows the recent stability control principle of mainland China, magnifying small conflicts into national security threats and tearing society apart."
Ghana Proves That Peaceful, Free and Fair Elections Are Not a Dream in Africa
"Ghana is consistently one of those African countries that gives the Western media nothing negative to report about Africa."
After a Wild Campaign, Macedonia Holds Important Elections This Sunday
Very often, upcoming elections in polarized societies are said to be “historic” events. Hugely important to the future of the country's political system, Macedonia's elections this Sunday certainly feel historic.
Report Shows Ghana's Opposition Presidential Candidate Leads in Facebook Likes, Incumbent President Leads in Twitter Followers
"[T]he report has shown that social media has become a normal and central form of communication for all segments of the population, particularly, political parties and their leaders..."
Fake News, Peaceful Voting and Other Things on Ghanaians’ Minds Ahead of Elections
"Friendly reminder that clever retorts on social media, passion, facts & figures won't be counted. Your vote will. Go & vote! "
Macedonian Election Campaign Started with Attempt of Identity Theft on Opposition Party
Upcoming parliamentary elections in Macedonia began with electioneering campaign tactics that were suspiciously sneaky.
Gambia Shocks the World With Peaceful Presidential Polls, Opposition Wins
The presidential election results and consequent concession of Yahya Jammeh came as a pleasant surprise to many Gambians -- and the rest of the world.
Polls Open Amid Communications Blackout in The Gambia
The Gambia has shut off all external communications as citizens cast their votes in the country's presidential elections, by blocking both the internet and international phone calls.
