Observers Say 'Southern' Sudan Will Secede

Observers Say 'Southern' Sudan Will Secede

Jubilant voters flooded polling stations in Sudan for a second day on Monday. The seven days of balloting are likely to produce an overwhelming vote for independence, and Sudan's president says he will let the oil-rich south secede peacefully. (Jan. 10)

Venezuelan election an ideological dispute

Venezuelan election an ideological dispute


As the election wraps up in Venezuela, many start to speculate what the election results mean for the future of Venezuela's political system. Although the government's party, the United Socialist Party, did not gain the 2/3 majority they needed to sustain authority over key decision making in the country, they still grabbed over 90 seats and the opposition took over 60 seats out of 165. While the opposition claimes a victory, the Chavistas of the country, supporters of President Hugo Chavez insist their ideology, known as the revolution, will remain.

Chavez losing his coolness?

Chavez losing his coolness?

Recent election results have loosened Hugo Chavez's political grip on Venezuela. Chavez has called the results a 'solid victory' although the opposition parties made big gains, claiming new seats in the Asamblea Nacional and winning the majority of the popular vote. The pro-Chavez parties no longer control a supermajority of the body, making the passage of new Chavez policies more difficult. Adolfo Taylhardat, a former Venezuelan ambassador to the UN and a member of the opposition party, said the fact that the government still maintains the majority of the seats in the congress while the opposition won the majority of the vote is a contradiction that should not occur and it only occurred because the Chavez government changed electoral laws to favor granting seats to government candidates.

Chavez's grip on Venezuela loosens (slightly)

Chavez's grip on Venezuela loosens (slightly)


Recent Venezuelan election results loosened Hugo Chavez's power as opposition parties made big gains, claiming new seats in the Asamblea Nacional and winning the majority of the popular vote. However, Chavez called the results a 'solid victory' and attorney & author Eva Golinger in Caracas, Venezuela explained that Chavez still holds a majority, but not the two-thirds supermajority he once held. The victory is substantial, she argued, explaining that the pro-Chavez parties can still pass a number of reforms; however those that require a two-thirds majority would be harder to pass. She also claimed international bodies and US agencies have been interfering in the elections by supporting opposition groups.

Karzai does not take democracy seriously

Karzai does not take democracy seriously

most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. Ann Marlowe, a fellow at the Hudson Institute argued that the high number of candidates and disorganization is leading to much conspiracy. Many of the candidates and observes fear Afghan President Hamid Karzai will again use tactics to pack the Parliament with supporters to try and amend the national constitution to give himself unlimited terms in office.

Afghan elections highlight failure, not progress

Afghan elections highlight failure, not progress

In most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. So far a number of election workers and a candidate have already been kidnapped. Journalist Kelley Vlahos said the US has used the elections, both in Iraq and Afghanistan as symbols of freedom and progress; however it is unlikely this election will highlight progress. She said these elections will more likely show the failures of international efforts in Afghanistan and illustrate the corruption in the Afghan government.

19 kidnapped amid Afghan elections

19 kidnapped amid Afghan elections


Afghanistan's parliamentary elections on Saturday will be another key test for the embattled central government and observers are expressing concern about irregularities before the polls even open. Eighteen election worker and one candidate have already been kidnapped and taken for ransom by the Taliban. So who will come out and vote tomorrow? Jerome Starkey says that there has been a huge effort to drum up support for their respective party but people understand the risks of coming out to vote.

Afghan elections free and credible?

Afghan elections free and credible?


most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. Malou Innocent, a foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute said it's hard to even call these elections free and credible given the bribery, voter intimidation, closure of polling places and other problems.