insert_link Africa Opposition accuses Togo government of extending President’s rule Tensions have risen in Togo as parliamentary and regional elections are underway amid controversy over a new constitution extending President Faure Gnassingbé's term. The BBC reports that opposition parties have accused the government of using the reform to extend Gnassingbé's family's 57-year rule, allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2031. todayApril 29, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Tanzanians go to the polls in 2025: President Samia has changed the landscape, but Magufuli’s legacy persists By Nicodemus Minde, United States International University It’s been three years since the death of Tanzania’s president John Magufuli and the rise to power of current president Samia Suluhu Hassan. Magufuli was Tanzania’s fifth president. He came to power in 2015 and was re-elected in 2020 in a poll that was marred by controversy. Magufuli brought lasting changes to Tanzania’s political landscape during his six-year tenure. His […] todayApril 16, 2024 10
insert_link World South Korea exit polls show opposition parties increase majority South Koreans are heading to the polls to elect a new parliament. Experts consider the election to be a litmus test on the leadership of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Al Jazeera reports that the main opposition Democratic Party and its affiliated parties are expected to strengthen their control by securing around 197 seats in the 300-seat single-chamber legislature, according to a collective exit poll conducted by three prominent TV networks. […] todayApril 10, 2024 35
insert_link World South Sudan opposition protests party registration fee hike South Sudanese opposition parties protested Monday at an "exorbitant" $50,000 fee to register ahead of the fragile country's first ever elections, branding it a slap in the face for democracy. The world's youngest nation is due to go to the polls by the end of the year under a 2018 peace deal, although the United Nations and others say key obstacles still need to be overcome if they […] todayMarch 25, 2024 25
insert_link Business / Economics Narendra Modi’s economy isn’t booming for India’s unemployed youth. So, why is his party favoured to win another election? By Ian Hall, Griffith University India will soon hold the biggest election ever conducted, starting on April 19 and running through early June. Almost 950 million registered voters will be able to cast ballots to elect the 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. The result is not a foregone conclusion, but most analysts expect Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win another […] todayMarch 18, 2024 10
Africa Tanzania’s elections are vulnerable to state abuse – urgent law reforms are needed By Aikande Clement Kwayu, Tumaini University Makumira Tanzania’s electoral law reform is overdue for an overhaul. This was made most apparent by the 2019 local elections and the 2020 general elections. The results were big wins for the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM): 99% of local authorities, 98.9% of parliamentary seats and 84% of the presidential vote. These margins of victory were contested. The United Nations, research […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 18
insert_link Africa Sall throws Senegal’s democratic credentials into doubt By Douglas Yates, American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) Senegal’s President Macky Sall announced in early February that presidential elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed indefinitely. The announcement has raised fears of popular protests, violent repression, a once democratic president transforming into an authoritarian ruler – and possibly even another coup d’état in west Africa. There has been a flurry of coups in the region […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 13
insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa’s ANC marks its 112th year with an eye on national elections, but its record is patchy and future uncertain By Sandy Africa, University of Pretoria The speech President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered at the 112th birthday celebration of South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), on 13 January can be seen as the party’s opening election gambit: a stadium packed to capacity, the display of a united leadership, and an invocation of three decades of success, delivered by a leader firmly in control of his party. The […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 12
insert_link World India’s opposition MPs protest mass suspension Opposition parties in India have taken to the streets to protest a mass suspension of their leaders from Parliament. Neha Poonia has more from New Delhi. todayDecember 21, 2023 56