· March, 2009

Stories about Elections from March, 2009

Indian Elections 2009: The Impact of Socially Conscious Corporate Campaigns

  31 March 2009

In my previous posts for the Global Voices special coverage on the 2009 Indian general elections, I have analyzed how Indian politicians and political parties are using internet and mobile tools for election campaigning and civil society groups in India are using digital tools to run voter registration and transparency campaigns. In this post, I'll analyze the impact of three election-related socially conscious ad campaigns: Jaago Re by Tata Tea, My Idea by Idea Cellular and Lead India/ Bleed India by The Times of India.

Macedonia: Student Protest Ends in Violence

  31 March 2009

Recently, the Macedonian government decided to build an Orthodox church with public financing on the main square of Skopje, a decision that the citizens of the city disapproved of. On March 28, a peaceful protest against the construction of the church turned violent when a group of counter-protesters attempted to prevent it. Elena Ignatova reviews the reactions in the Macedonian blogosphere.

Ecuador: Heading to the Polls Yet Again

  30 March 2009

In less than a month, approximately 10.5 million Ecuadorians will head to the polls yet again. After approval of the new Constitution last September, elections to select the president, members of the legislature and other local authorities are scheduled for April 26. The current president, Rafael Correa, has announced his intention to run, where he is favored to win.

India: Arguments Against The Third Front

  29 March 2009

Solitary Reaper analyzes the election manifesto of the Third Front, a political alliance contesting in the upcoming Indian elections 2009, and comments: “here are a few people talking about taking India back to the stone age.”

Digital Civil Society Campaigns in the 2009 Indian General Elections

  28 March 2009

In my first post for the Global Voices special coverage on the 2009 Indian general elections, I had analyzed how Indian politicians and political parties are using internet and mobile tools for election campaigning. In this post, I'll detail how civil society groups in India are using digital tools to run voter registration and transparency campaigns in the run up to the elections.

Armenia: Questions linger after post-election unrest

  28 March 2009

tzitzernak2 comments on the deaths of three opposition supporters during the 1 March post-election clashes last year. The blog says that although their deaths were caused by improperly fired gas grenades used by only four policemen, those responsible have not been identified let alone suspended from duty or prosecuted.

Hungary: Avoiding an Early Election?

  28 March 2009

Hungary Economy Watch writes that “Gyurcsány plans to use the constructive vote of no-confidence to install another Socialist-led cabinet, and his government […] appears to have resorted to this unusual maneuver for one simple reason: to avoid an early election.”

India Elections '09: Netizens react to Political Campaigns

  27 March 2009

With the General Elections round the corner, major political parties like the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have each unleashed their election campaigns on the Indian populace. In a series of posts, we will explore blogger reactions to the election campaigns of various political parties. In this post, the first in the series, we look at how netizens have reacted to the BJP's Online Campaign.

Russia: Sochi's Mayoral Race

  27 March 2009

Updates on the Sochi election – FP's Passport: “The world's most entertaining mayor's race.” RFE/RL's The Power Vertical: “The opposition sees opportunity. The Kremlin sees danger. And the pundits have something new to talk about.” Sean's Russia Blog: “The election circus in Sochi has some new developments. The alleged polonium...

Caucasus: Pitiful democracy

  26 March 2009

Writing on the International Federation of Liberal Youth blog, Bart Woord sums up a month of traveling in the South Caucasus by saying that democracy and governance are in a pitifully depressing state in all three former Soviet republics.

Jamaica: Lessons from the By-Election

  25 March 2009

Abeng News Magazine asks of the results of the recent by-election in West Portland: “What does it tell us about where things currently stand in Jamaica, if this constituency can be viewed as a microcosm of the Jamaican body politic?”, adding, “It’s high time this dual citizenship issue is seriously...

India: Analyzing Past Elections

  25 March 2009

Kenney Jacob at Disruptive Technologies, Education and Some Social Issues blog publishes a series of analysis on India's past elections. Read parts I, II, III and IV.

Azerbaijan: Referendum warning

  24 March 2009

Following last week's controversial referendum in Azerbaijan, Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines comments on news that the Council of Europe has warned Baku that it could be expelled from the international body as a result of the conduct of the vote. However, the blog notes, it is unlikely that the...

Colombia: Are Politicians Making the Most Out of Twitter?

  24 March 2009

In the last few weeks, as the race for the May 2010 presidential elections has started, two presidential candidates have decided to join the Colombian 'twittosphere'. But, after some initial skepticism, Colombian twitterers show that both candidates (or staffers within their campaigns) are failing to reach the intended audience correctly.

Jamaica: Election Example

  24 March 2009

As the West Portland by-election is settled, Girl With a Purpose says: “What should be noted…is that this by-election went through without incident…the majority of Jamaicans are tired of the crime and violence in general, but especially at election time.”