News

Algeria president reshuffles cabinet

Sep 15 2013
Algeria
Source: 
Magharebia

Just months ahead of the Algerian presidential elections, Abdelaziz Bouteflika made key changes to his cabinet on Wednesday (September 11th).

Under the reshuffle announced by President Bouteflika, General Ahmed Gaid Salah will serve as both deputy defence minister and army chief.

Constitutional Council Chairman Tayeb Belaiz replaces Dahou Ould Kablia as interior minister. Ramtane Lamamra is the new foreign minister, while Tayeb Louh swaps his labour ministry position for the justice portfolio.

Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal retains his post.

Abyei referendum should be conducted without tribal interference

Sep 13 2013
Sudan
Source: 
Sudan Tribune

Jeing Youth Union in South Sudan has issued a press release calling to emplace the Abyei referendum in October 2013; the Union encourages the international community to exert more pressure on the Government of Sudan to accept the census of eligible voters proposed by the AU-led mediation team last year and to set the date with no delay.
Sudanese government has totally refused to leave the Misseriya out of the elections claiming their rights over the land of Abyei despite of the mediation team recommendation for which only permanent residents could cast the vote (mainly Dinka Ngok)

Small parties battle the odds

Sep 13 2013
Malaysia
Source: 
The Star

PETALING JAYA: When the Kuala Besut by-election was held in July within weeks of GE13, it confirmed what many media observers suspected ... the Malaysian public is down with election fatigue.

Conversely though, in the aftermath of the closely-fought general elections, parties within the two major coalitions, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, are now firmly focused on preparing for internal elections.

And the secondary business of running government of course.

Heat is on as political parties begin 100-day countdown

Sep 13 2013
Malaysia
Source: 
The Star

PETALING JAYA: The political temperature is set to rise as the 100-day countdown begins for four major political parties ending the year with heated elections.

Umno and MCA, the Barisan Nasional’s two largest component parties are set to hold their party elections on Oct 19 and Dec 21 respectively.

For the Opposition, the DAP will be conducting its election for office bearers on Sept 29 while PAS will elect its office bearers on Nov 22.

NA-5, NA-27 by-polls: ECP inquiries find no women vote bar

Sep 12 2013
Pakistan
Source: 
The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had cancelled last month’s by-election in two Nowshera and Lakki Marwat districts following reports that women were disenfranchised in the two National Assembly constituencies.

Interestingly however, the ECP inquiries found no evidence indicating that women were barred from voting in the two constituencies. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman faction) rejected the findings, alleging that these were influenced by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government.

Protesters in Tunisia renew calls for government to step down

Sep 08 2013
Tunisia
Source: 
The Guardian

Tens of thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of Tunis on Saturday to renew their demands that the Islamist-led government step down and end a political deadlock threatening the north African country's fledgling democracy.

It was the largest protest since Tunisia's crisis erupted over the killing of an opposition leader in July, increasing pressure on the ruling Ennahda party to make way for a caretaker government before proposed elections.

With guard of honour, President Zardari steps down

Sep 08 2013
Pakistan
Source: 
The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari was given a farewell guard of honour in Islamabad on Sunday, Express News reported.

Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of the beleaguered Pakistans Peoples Party (PPP), steps down as the president today, having defied expectations by holding onto power for a record five years.

He will be heading to Lahore after departing from the President House.

He presided over the only civilian government in Pakistan history to complete a full term in office and hand over to another through the ballot box.

Govt worries about voter apathy in 2014 elections

Sep 05 2013
Indonesia
Source: 
The Jakarta Post

The government is worried that voter participation in the 2014 elections will decline as people are getting more and more pessimistic about the organization of elections in Indonesia.

Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi said the level of voter participation in the country’s five-yearly elections tended to decline. He said in average there was a 10 percent decline of voter participation in every election.

He said the rate of voter participation in the 2009 elections stood at 71 percent, down from 84.07 percent in 2004 and 92.74 percent in 1999.

Investi président du Mali, Keïta met la réconciliation au coeur de son mandat

Sep 04 2013
Mali
Source: 
AFP

Le nouveau président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, 68 ans, a prêté serment mercredi, fixant comme "priorité la plus pressante" de son mandat de cinq ans "la réconciliation nationale" dans son pays meurtri par 18 mois de crise politico-militaire.

Main droite levée, M. Keïta a lu le serment contenu dans la Constitution malienne devant la Cour suprême, lors d'une cérémonie organisée dans un centre de conférence de Bamako, battue par la pluie.

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