Reuters Cites IRI Election Witnesses in Egypt

http://www.iri.org/news-events-press-center/news/reuters-cites-iri-election-witnesses-egypt

November 28, 2011

Big turnout, scant violence in Egypt vote: monitors
Reuters
By Tom Pfeiffer

CAIRO - Egyptians turned out in big numbers on a mostly peaceful first day of voting for a new parliament, driven by optimism to build a new post-Hosni Mubarak era and the threat of fines if they stayed at home, vote monitors said on Monday.
Democracy campaigners had worried a week of deadly clashes in Cairo and other cities in the run-up to the vote and a history of electoral violence might lead people to avoid polling stations for fear they could get caught up in unrest.

Many, especially the illiterate, were perplexed by complex procedures and long lists of candidates, but still turned up early on Monday to wait for hours in queues stretching up to 2 kilometers (more than one mile) at some stations, monitors said.
They said it was too early to estimate overall turnout. No figures have been released, but the top election committee official said numbers were more than expected.
The military rulers also reported a high turnout and extended voting hours to accommodate this.
"It's easy to predict that this will be a higher turnout than any recent election in Egypt," said Les Campbell, director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI). "We are seeing clear signs of voter excitement and participation."
In the parliamentary vote under Mubarak last November, officials put turnout at 35 percent in the first round of voting. Rights groups said it was more like 10 percent.
Anecdotally, judges supervising at several polling stations visited by Reuters in different districts of Cairo and elsewhere said turnout of registered voters on their lists was about 30 percent or more. A handful put it as high as 50 percent.
But judges stressed these were rough estimates and this was only the first day. Voters were lined up as they spoke.

Some voted on Monday to avoid a 500 Egyptian-pound ($83.30) fine for people who did not vote, monitors said. The fine was rarely enforced in the past but some feared that had changed.
"But there are also many who are going to vote to elect their candidates. When you add both, we expect a huge turnout," said Mohsen Kamal, monitoring supervisor at Al-Andalus Institute for Tolerance Studies, a European and U.S. funded monitor group.

TEST OF CREDIBILITY
The election, due to run through to mid-January, is a test for the credibility of Egypt's generals who have struggled to deal with social unrest and growing pressure for a quick handover to civilian rule.
The army said it would not allow foreigners to monitor the vote but seems to have backed down, allowing groups such as NDI, The Carter Center, the International Republican Institute and South African, Turkish, Polish and Danish groups to take part.
Alongside 300 foreign civil society representatives are 25,000 accredited monitors and thousands more concerned citizens who have pledged to alert the organizers to abuses.
Monitors Without Borders said the turnout was the biggest in six decades, and was accompanied by a flurry of citizen activism on social networks and YouTube, where people were uploading examples of violations.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights said it received around 300 complaints about polling stations that opened late, a lack of voting papers, supervisors falling sick and widespread flouting of a ban on campaigning at the ballot.
The chief of police in Ain Shams, a suburb of the capital Cairo, was suspended because an election area did not have ballot papers before early afternoon, the rights group said. Elsewhere, a judge canceled voting as people surged into a polling station he was overseeing.
"The judge couldn't take it," said Mouna Zulfakkar, a lawyer from the Egyptian rights group, which alerted the Interior Ministry and armed forces to many reported violations. "They have been extremely responsive," she said.
Monitors said they heard of election-related brawls in Port Said, Assiut, Cairo and Luxor but none of the deaths that often overshadowed discredited votes under Mubarak. ($1 = 6.0025 Egyptian pounds)

Though Transparent, Morocco's Parliamentary Elections Show Citizen Interest in Further and Deeper Reform

A Moroccan voter finds her name on the registry, while Jeffrey England and Shari Bryan observe the process. Photo by Andrew Farrand, NDI program officer.

Morocco’s Nov. 25 parliamentary elections – the first since popular protests earlier this year prompted a reform process and revisions to the country’s constitution – were conducted transparently, according to an international observation mission organized by NDI.

In its statement, the Institute noted that the lack of voter enthusiasm, calls for an election day boycott, and the significant number of invalid and spoiled ballots collectively “signal citizen interest in further and deeper reform.”

“From a technical point of view, it was a fair election, but democracy is about substance as much as form,” said Bob Rae, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, former premier of Ontario, and co-leader of the delegation. “Seeing the number of people who actively spoiled their ballots as well as those who did not participate, it is clear that the path to real change will take more effort and time.”

The NDI delegation comprised 41 accredited observers from 21 countries who deployed to more than 200 polling stations throughout Morocco on election day. Among them were 10 long-term observers who have been in the country since late October and who will remain through early December to observe post-election developments. The purpose of the delegation is to provide an impartial assessment of the electoral process and to demonstrate the interest of the international community in the continued strengthening of democratic governance in Morocco. The mission builds on NDI’s 25 years of experience observing more than 200 elections around the world, including delegations in Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, and Morocco in 2007.

The delegation was led by Rae, Kastriot Islami, former chairman of the Albanian parliament and former minister of foreign affairs; Sally Shelton-Colby, former deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Abdullah Al Derazi, secretary general of the Bahrain Human Rights Society; and Shari Bryan, NDI vice president.

NDI observers found that electoral authorities administered a technically sound voting process that – while not without flaws –  allowed voters to cast their ballots without fear of tampering or procedural violations on election day. “The professionalism and neutrality that the polling officials displayed are a good step forward for the evolution of Morocco’s democracy,” noted Shelton-Colby.

Inspired by the Arab Spring, earlier this year Moroccans demonstrated an unprecedented level of political engagement in calling for systemic political reform. The evident lack of public enthusiasm during the campaign and on election day contrasted with this earlier energy. Yet on election day, the statement notes, “many citizens showed that they have not yet given up on the electoral process as a means of forging change.”

 To capitalize on the opportunity that still remains, “Morocco’s new government will need to carry progress in the right direction,” said Islami.

The delegation recognized revisions to Morocco’s constitution that promote gender parity in decision-making bodies, which sets a strong example for the region.  While the delegation was pleased to see a substantial turnout among women voters, in order to play a meaningful role in future electoral and political processes women must also be included in the electoral administration, in the leadership of political parties, and other key posts. Al Derazi noted that Moroccan women “cast their votes with spirit” and that “they want to contribute to the development of their country’s democratic process.”

“This is an encouraging sign and we hope that women in other Arab countries will follow suit,” he said.

In light of its observations, the NDI delegation recommended the following steps to enhance future electoral processes and Morocco’s democratic process as a whole:

• The organization of an open and participatory public dialogue on political reform that more fully engages Morocco’s diverse and vibrant citizenry;
• Review of election procedures, including ballot design, and the use of more robust voter education programs to reduce voter confusion and improve the ability to make accurate and informed choices at the ballot box; and
• Further measures to promote gender parity as enshrined in Morocco’s constitution.

Suu Kyi party to register for Burma elections

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/267815/suu-kyi-party-to-register-for-burma-elections

Suu Kyi party to register for Burma elections
• Published: 25/11/2011 at 04:32 AM
• Online news: Asia



Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition is set to formalise its return to Burma's political arena on Friday, when it will apply to re-register as a political party, an official said.

The party of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, pictured November 21, is set to formalise its return to Myanmar's political arena on Friday, when it will apply to re-register as a political party, an official said.

Party delegates from the National League for Democracy (NLD) travelled to the capital Naypyidaw on Thursday to hand in the party's registration papers, NLD spokesman Nyan Win told AFP.
"We will go to the election commission office at 10:00am (0330 GMT) to register the party," he said, adding it would probably take at least a week until their application was confirmed.

The NLD announced this month it would re-register as a political party and contest upcoming by-elections after boycotting last year's parliamentary poll -- paving the way for the 66-year-old democracy heroine to run for office.

Party officials said last week Suu Kyi "intends to take part in the election" and Suu Kyi herself has hinted to party delegates that she would run.
There are 48 parliamentary seats available but no polling dates have been set for by-elections.
The NLD's decision to end its boycott of the political process came on the same day the military-dominated government received a dramatic seal of approval from the United States for a string of nascent reforms.

After speaking directly to Nobel laureate Suu Kyi for the first time, in a call from Air Force One, US President Barack Obama said Hillary Clinton would next month become the first secretary of state to visit Burma for 50 years.

The NLD won a landslide victory in polls in 1990 but the then-ruling junta never allowed the party to take power. Suu Kyi, although a figurehead for the campaign, was under house arrest at the time.

Burma's next election was not held until November last year, and the NLD boycotted it -- mainly because of rules that would have forced it to expel imprisoned members. Suu Kyi was again under house arrest.
Although the election was widely criticised as a sham, Burma's military rulers gave way to a nominally civilian administration which released Suu Kyi from years in detention and has since made a surprising series of conciliatory gestures.

In developments Suu Kyi has described as "encouraging", it has passed a law giving workers the right to strike, stopped work on an unpopular dam and released about 200 political prisoners.
Then last week, Burma won approval from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to chair the 10-nation bloc in 2014 -- despite some concerns.

Voting complaints lodged at NEC

Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Kim Yuthana
The Phnom Penh Post

The National Election Committee had received 53 complaints from representatives of political parties and individuals over voters’ lists and the voting-registration process this year, an official said yesterday.

NEC vice-director Sin Chumbo said the complaints had been fallen into two categories: the first comprised those related to the announcement of the voting list, and the second comprised concerns about the process of registering to vote in the election.

She said 12 complaints in total had been filed by commune councils in regard to the voter registration process: eight in Phnom Penh, two in Kandal province and two in Siem Reap province.

“All the complaints from commune councils have been resolved by the NEC and will not be forwarded to the Constitutional Council,” Sin Chumbo added.

There were 41 complaints over the first announced voting list: seven in Phnom Penh, 11 in Kandal province, 20 in Prey Veng, two in Siem Reap and one in Steung Treng, Sin Chumbo said.

Of these, 37 had been filed by the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, one by the ruling Cambodia People’s Party and three by individuals.

SRP politician Hing Yern said two complaints filed by his party had been sent to the Constitutional Council, which had rejected them.

“The Constitutional Council did not meet to resolve this issue because its members are afraid of being shamed,” he said.

Entire SRP could walk: Mu Sochua

SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua (pictured right). Photo by: Hong Menea

Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Meas Sokchea and David Boyle
The Phnom Penh Post

All 26 opposition Sam Rainsy Party members are on the verge of resigning “any day” from the Cambodian parliament, SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua said yesterday, after three of the party’s MPs announced their official resignation.
Fresh from a recent trip to meet with pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, Mu Sochua said it was striking that even in heavily oppressed Myanmar, the government understands the need for an opposition.
Whereas Suu Kyi has announced plans to contest Myanmar’s next election after boycotting the national ballot in 2008, in Cambodia, the opposition is on the verge of completely resigning from a parliament that does not allow their input, she said.

The Cambodian government’s refusal to allow the opposition to examine the details of US$1.1 billion of potential concessionary loans in next year’s budget while continuing to sell off the nation’s resources to foreign countries has left the SRP with no real voice in parliament, she said.
“The 26 of us [SRP members of parliament] are very, very, very willing to any day resign. You don’t think there will be any kind of pressure when the second-biggest party and the biggest opposition party leaves?” she said.
“But we’re not [willing] to put our heads down and say ‘Yes, we can give away Cambodia to Thailand, to Vietnam, to China, to whoever.’ They’re coming in and buying Cambodia – from the sand to the air to the trees to our children.”
Yesterday’s resignations were intended to force a constitutional crisis by leaving the National Assembly with less than the quorum of 120 members stipulated by the constitution before it passes the national budget.
SRP secretary general and member of parliament for Siem Reap province Ke Sovannroth; Nuth Rumduol, who holds a seat in Kampong Speu province; and Thak Lany, an MP representing Kampong Cham province, all relinquished their seats.
Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled leader of the eponymous opposition party, said via video link from France that economic experts had advised they were reviewing slated loans, which if cancelled, would make the government “fall upside down”.

The MPs would not be replaced until the government had addressed the issues raised by the SRP, Sam Rainsy added.

“Normally, we have candidates for replacement. Filing anyone to replace [the previous member] is up to us. But the SRP will not file any new candidates to replace [them] in this circumstance. We are waiting to see the government [activities],” he said.
Sam Rainsy fled Cambodia shortly before he was charged with a series of criminal offences related to an incident in late 2009 in which he uprooted posts marking the country’s border with Vietnam.
Mu Sochua vowed Sam Rainsy would be back in the country before the next election in 2012, but declined to elaborate on whether this would be achieved via a political solution that would pardon him.
Cheam Yeap, a senior lawmaker for the Cambodian People’s Party, reiterated that the move would not stop the budget from being passed on Thursday and joked that if all the SRP members resigned together, it would make it easier to divide up their seats.
“He cannot defend his seat in the circumstance that he resigns from parliament. Everything is completed; there is no right to complain,” Cheam Yeap said.
But National Election Committee secretary-general Tep Nytha said yesterday SRP seats could not be divided up among other parties unless the SRP was dissolved.

Cambodian Voters’ Voice Press Launch

26^th October 2011 – Phnom Penh 

Cambodian Voters’ Voice was proud to introduce their new website to country’s press at an event held at the Imperial Garden Hotel Phnom Penh this week. In attendance were representatives from the Sam Rainsy Party, the Human Rights Party and the National Election Committee as well as local and national media. During the conference COMFREL executive director Mr Koul Panha and monitoring co-coordinator Mr Sok Pitour demonstrated the new features users will be able to access on the new Cambodian Voters’ Voice website. 

Mr Koul Panha and Mr Sok Pitour at the launch

One key feature of the website is the ability to allow users to report on incidents of crime and corruption anonymously, hopefully building up a database of information about crimes occurring nationwide. Visitors to the site will also be able to access reports on previous elections as well as information on political parties, how to register and upcoming elections.

 Map displays locations or reported crimes

In addition to the website Mr Koul Panha also demonstrated Cambodian Voters’ Voice’s new voicemail service which allows members of the general public to leave messages anonymously. The service will hopefully allow those who are concerned about discussing political issues publically to have their opinions heard. 

 Mr Koul Panha talks to the national press about the websites new features 

These are just two initiatives Cambodian Voters’ Voice  are undertaking as part of a wider campaign to allow greater freedom of expression through social media. The long term aim is to provide platforms through which people can speak honestly and confidently about Cambodian politics. 

The flowing are links to the new website:

English: Cambodian Voters' Voice

Khmer:  Cambodian Voters' Voice     

Cambodian Voters’ Voice Press Launch

26^th October 2011 – Phnom Penh 

Cambodian Voters’ Voice was proud to introduce their new website to country’s press at an event held at the Imperial Garden Hotel Phnom Penh this week. In attendance were representatives from the Sam Rainsy Party, the Human Rights Party and the National Election Committee as well as local and national media. During the conference COMFREL executive director Mr Koul Panha and monitoring co-coordinator Mr Sok Pitour demonstrated the new features users will be able to access on the new Cambodian Voters’ Voice website. 

One key feature of the website is the ability to allow users to report on incidents of crime and corruption anonymously, hopefully building up a database of information about crimes occurring nationwide. Visitors to the site will also be able to access reports on previous elections as well as information on political parties, how to register and upcoming elections. 

In addition to the website Mr Koul Panha also demonstrated Cambodian Voters’ Voice’s new voicemail service which allows members of the general public to leave messages anonymously. The service will hopefully allow those who are concerned about discussing political issues publically to have their opinions heard. 

These are just two initiatives Cambodian Voters’ Voice  are undertaking as part of a wider campaign to allow greater freedom of expression through social media. The long term aim is to provide platforms through which people can speak honestly and confidently about Cambodian politics. 

The flowing are links to the new website:

English:

Khmer: