elections

Kenya: Officials deny vote fraud claims

Tristan McConnell — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:27:34 +0000

NAIROBI, Kenya — The election commission has dismissed claims the results of Monday’s election were “doctored” as the slow, manual tallying of votes continued after a series of electronic systems designed to prevent fraud failed. The count’s perceived slowness has raised tensions as political leaders alleged fraud and bias and voters were left questioning the election commission’s ability to complete the process fairly and accurately.

Italy’s danger man

Paul Ames — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:00:44 +0000

BRUSSELS — Debates on Italian television during the campaign for last week's election fell into a familiar pattern. Two or three male politicians in immaculate suits would answer questions about bond yields or labor market liberalization from similarly attired journalists. If the presenter wasn’t a beautiful woman in a short skirt, there would be one on the panel. The elections’ big winner approached the campaign differently.

Kenya election prompts fears of new violence

Tristan McConnell — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:06:00 +0000

KIAMBAA, Kenya — Of all the terrible things that took place after Kenya’s last election, the worst was the burning to death of 35 people in this town’s small Pentecostal church. After members of the majority Kikuyu ethnic group sought shelter there, hundreds of machete-wielding men from the rival minority Kalenjin tribe laid gasoline-soaked mattresses against the walls and set them alight. Kenyans are still recovering from the violence that killed more than 1,100 people and forced 600,000 from their homes. And there are fears of fresh clashes as the country prepares for a new election on Monday.

South Africa: Jacob Zuma fights off challenger at ANC conference

Erin Conway-Smith — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:15:04 +0000

CAPE TOWN – While Nelson Mandela remains in hospital, his successors are squabbling over the leadership of his old political party, the African National Congress. Thousands of ANC delegates will gather Sunday to elect the party’s top brass in the city of Bloemfontein, also known by its African name, “Mangaung.” Held once every five years, the ANC conference will likely be a raucous affair.

Pranab Mukherjee named India's 13th president in Congress party victory

Faine Greenwood — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:43:56 +0000

Pranab Mukherjee was named India's 13th president on Sunday, signaling victory for the ruling Congress party, whose collective reputation is suffering from graft allegations and the nation's slowing economic growth.

Women to the rescue in Iceland

Barry Neild — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:00:00 +0000

If Thora Arnorsdottir wins this weekend’s presidential vote, both of Iceland’s top jobs will be held by women — after men drove the country into bankruptcy.

What the French elections mean for the euro zone

Paul Ames — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:04:00 +0000

ROME — Many in Europe are viewing the French election with concern. The fear is that whichever candidate emerges victorious from the second-round vote on May 6, both are avoiding any serious debate of the tough economic decisions facing France and the rest of the euro zone.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood names Khairat al-Shatir as presidential candidate

Luke Browne — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:28:15 +0000

The Muslim Brotherhood's decision to field Khairat al-Shatir reverses a pledge made earlier by the group’s leaders not to contest the presidential election in May.

Leftist party wins Slovakia parliamentary election

Luke Browne — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:11:43 +0000

The weekend's results mark the first time since Slovakia gained independence in 1993 that a political party has won enough seats to rule without a coalition partner.

Slovakia votes in early elections with left tipped to win

Luke Browne — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:57:12 +0000

About 300 anti-corruption protesters clashed with police in the capital, Bratislava, on Friday, calling on Slovaks not to vote for any of the established political parties.

Senegal elections: official results confirm run-off

Luke Browne — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:02:00 +0000

Senegal is to hold a second round of presidential elections after incumbent Abdoulaye Wade failed to win outright, election officials confirmed late Wednesday.

Nazi hunter Beate Klarsfeld running for German presidency

Luke Browne — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Beate Klarsfeld, who spent decades fighting fascism and tracking down Nazis, will run against favorite Joachim Gauck in the race for the German presidency.

French presidential candidate Francois Hollande vows 75% tax rate

Luke Browne — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Hollande said the tax was “sending out a message of social cohesion,” adding that it was simply a case of “patriotism to accept to pay extra tax to get the country back on its feet again.”

Senegalese opposition leader says run-off vote 'inevitable’

Luke Browne — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:20:45 +0000

With 10 percent of the ballots counted, Wade is estimated to have secured just 24 percent of the vote, with his nearest challenger out of a total of 13 candidates winning 21 percent.

Thousands form anti-Putin human chain around Moscow

Luke Browne — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:15:37 +0000

Protesters braved freezing snowy weather and linked hands around the capital, bearing white balloons and flowers and wearing white scarves and ribbons to symbolize the biggest opposition demonstrations since Putin took power 12 years ago