Stories about Elections from January, 2014
Presidential Debate in Panama Creates More Questions Than Answers
The second presidential debate took place on January 20 in Panama. Panamanians interacted on social media with a debate that seems to have been left in question.
Egypt: Is Sissi's Promotion a Step Closer to the Presidency?
Abdel Fattah El Sissi's promotion to field marshall has created a buzz online, with many wondering whether it paves the way for him to run for presidency.
Egypt: What's Next for Field Marshal El Sissi?
Egypt's army head General Abdel Fattah El Sissi is now a Field Marshal. It is not clear whether this is a prelude to him running for president.
3 Keys to Understanding Burkina Faso's Anti-President Compaoré Protests
On Saturday January 18th, widespread protests took place against constitutional reforms proposed by president Blaise Camporé. But what do the protests mean?
From Barcelona to Madrid for the Love of a Candidate
Blogger Denise Duncan makes a confession [es] on her blog: ¿Por qué voy a viajar 1400 kilómetros para votar por Luis Guillermo Solís? ¿Por qué ir y volver de Barcelona a Madrid en 24 horas? ¡Pero es un voto, nada más!, podría pensarse. ¿Qué diferencia hay? Una: estoy enamorada. Why...
Political Propaganda in the New Panamanian Passports?
The new electronic passports issued by Panama carry in its pages images of accomplishments by the government of Ricardo Martinelli. The move has generated irritation and reactions.
Catherine Samba-Panza, Mayor of Bangui, Elected as Transitional President of Central African Republic
After Michel Djotodia stepped down as president [fr] two weeks ago, the Central African Republic (CAR) Parliament elected Catherine Samba-Panza [fr], former mayor of Bangui, as the transitional president in charge of stabilizing the country until the next elections. Samba-Panza was recognized for her crisis management of the city during the rebels pillaging...
Massive Street Protests against Constitutional Reform in Burkina Faso
On January 18, thousands of Burkinabe citizens took to the streets of Ouagadougou [fr] to protest against proposed changes of the constitution that would allow current president Campaoré to run for another mandate. The protests were relayed on many Burkinabe twitter feed. Alain Boh Bi posted images of the protest: Jan18th,...
Madagascar Finally Has a New President, But Uncertainty Remains
Does this mean Madagascar is back on the path to democracy? Are prosperity and peace finally on the horizon for a country marred by chronic instability and poverty?
Online Platform ‘Ojo al Voto’ Seeks to Lure Young Costa Rican Voters
The interactive platform Ojo al voto [es] wants to provide young voters with useful and straightforward information about the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in Costa Rica, scheduled for February 2, 2014. The Hivos Central America website explains: Ojo al voto is an interactive platform, independent from the mainstream media,...
GV Face: Bangkok Shutdown and the Way Forward
In this episode of GV Face we speak to Saksith Saiyasombut, a Thai political blogger based in Germany, our Thailand author Aim Sinpeng & SE Asia Editor Mong Palatino.
Candidates Face Off in First Presidential Debate in El Salvador
Tim's El Salvador Blog summarizes the first presidential debate ever held in El Salvador: The three leading presidential candidates Norman Quijano (ARENA), Salvador Sánchez Cerén (FMLN), and Antonio Saca (Unidad), were joined on the stage by two minor candidates, Óscar Lemus (FPS) and René Rodríguez Hurtado (PSP). The debate had...
Madagascar's Return to Democracy Proving to Be a Bumpy One
Hery Rajaonarimampianina was declared winner of the presidential elections' second round, but the final verdict is still pending. The elections were an important step to solving the country's political crisis.
Iran: “City Councillor Lost Post Over Facebook Account”
Azamolsadat Hosseini says she lost her post in Behshahr‘s City Council over her Facebook account. Several Iranian officials use Facebook and Twitter to communicate their message but these sites and many other ones are filtered in country.
South Korea: Political Revenge on Whistleblower?
Kwon Eun-hee, a policewoman and ex-chief investigator at Seoul Suseo Police station, revealed last summer that her team had received pressures and ‘unreasonable orders’ from superiors to reduce the scope of an investigation into the spy agency election manipulation scandal. Although net users lauded Kwon, her bold act seems to...
Hindus Attacked in Bangladesh for ‘Crime’ of Voting
"Wasn't the election for everybody? So why are Hindus being targeted? Or did only Hindus vote? So are they not free to exercise their rights?"
El Salvador Prepares for Upcoming Presidential Election
Salvadorans will go to the polls on February 2, 2014, to elect a new president. Jorge Kawas in PulsAmerica explains: Polls show that the election will be a close call between the left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional – FMLN) and the right-wing...
Mass Resignations Within the Ruling Party of Burkina Faso
Morin Yamongba reports that 75 members (including former ministers) of the ruling party in Burkina Faso, Le Congrès pour la démocratie et le progrès (Congress for democracy and progress) have left the party to join the opposition [fr] because of alleged lack of plurality within the party. They also oppose...
Slim Voter Turnout, Violence Mark Bangladesh's Opposition-Less Elections
Amid violence that left 18 dead, only between 10 and 40 percent of voters made it to the polls, down from the high 87 percent in the last parliamentary elections.
More Than 100 Schools Torched in Anti-Election Violence in Bangladesh
"If you cripple the nation in the name of protest, how will you take this country forward?"
