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Full Representation
Around the World: Articles Arranged by Country
Index
Note: For more articles, try a Google News search on "proportional
representation"
Afghanistan
Try these links for background information on
Afghan politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Afghanistan, Wikipedia.org:
Afghanistan
Radio Free Europe: Afghanistan:
Experts Voice Concern Over 2005 Afghan Parliamentary Elections.
Parliamentary elections in scheduled for
next April are at risk because of security concerns and boundary issues.
October 28, 2004.
IPS News: Insecurity
Threatens Newly-Won Women's Rights. The new constitution for
Afghanistan includes full representation provisions as well as quotas for women
representatives in the national legislature. January 14, 2004.
Armenia
Try these links for background
information on Armenian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Armenia, Wikipedia.org:
Armenia, Psephos:
Armenia.
Eurasianet.org: Coalition
Government Likely Outcome of May 25 Parliament Elections in Armenia.
Article written a few days before the 2003 elections for parliament and for a
referendum on adopting a new constitution, discussing the parties and the issues
at stake. In 2002, Austria adopted a parallel system for its legislature, which
is a combination of full represention and winner-take-all. May 22, 2003.
Australia
Try these links for background
information on Australian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Australia, Wikipedia.org:
Australia
The Age: Lucky
Citizens. Julian Ninio discusses the benefits of Australian
democracy and the assets of proportional voting system which they use. June 30,
2004.
Crickey.com: How
Tough is the QLD Question?" Senator John Cherry analyzes the
Queensland electoral statistics, and ABC election analyst Antony Green provides
a response. January 20, 2004.
Sydney Morning Herald: ���Ideas
to save our withering democracy. Candidate for presidency of the
Australian Labor Party presents a manifesto stating her beliefs about Australian
politics and democracy. She believes that full representation leads to higher
turnout and fewer wasted votes. August 7, 2003.
PM, Australia: Howard���s
Senate plans . The Australian Prime Minister has suggested a measure
that would reduce the powers of the Senate. August 11, 2003.
The Guardian: One
Nation leader in fraud case. Brief article about the defeat of
ex-Australian Member of Parliament Pauline Hanson, and her disintegrating One
Nation party. July 16, 2003.
The Age: Sword
alleges ALP branch-stacking. Australian Labor Party leader Greg Sword
comes down on the practice of ���branch-stacking��� (insincerely stuffing local
party branches with members in order to gain control of them). The Australian
Workers Unions has made a proposal for full representation (proportional
representation) to be used for candidate selection within the Labor party. March
5, 2003.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia: Major
changes in the house as the mice all roar. In the New South Wales
region of Australia, which includes Sydney, small parties are gaining ground on
the biggest three parties (Labor, Liberal, and National.) The Parliament of New
South Wales is divided into two houses, the Legislative Assembly, or lower
house, and the legislative council, or upper house. Elections to the lower house
are divided into 93 single member districts, using instant runoff voting, and
the upper house is elected by choice voting in one state-wide district. March 1,
2003.
Austria
Try these links for background information on Austrian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Austria, Wikipedia.org:
Politics of Austria, Electionresources.org:
Austria, IFES
Electionguide for elections in 2002.
Reuters: Austrians
Begin Voting, Outcome Wide Open. Article written on the day of the
2002 elections forcecasts big losses for the Freedom Party of Austria, which
turned out to be accurate. November 24, 2002.
Azerbaijan
Try these links for backgroud information on Azerbaijan politics
and elections: Electionworld.org:
Azerbaijan, Wikipedia.org:
Politics of Azerbaijan
Eurasianet.org: Little
to Lose: Opposition in Azerbaijan . This article discusses the
political effects of a referendum passed in 2002, which eliminates full
representation from Azerbaijan national government, and thus decreases the
ability of dissenting parties to participate in government. It also provides
extensive background on the history of political parties in Azerbaijan since
independence. February 3, 2003.
Bahamas
Try these links for background information on politics and elections in the
Bahamas: Electionworld.org:
Bahamas, Wikipedia:
Bahamas
Nassau Guardian: Constitution
Reform booklet launched . Constitutional reform is underway in the
Bahamas, where the Constitutional Reform Commission has begun its public
education campaign. The Commission intends to use public referendums to guide
the process. One of the issues up for discussion is wither the Bahamas should
move to a full representation system. July 16, 2003.
Bangladesh
Try these links for background
information on politics and elections in Bangladesh: Electionworld.org:
Bangladesh, Wikipedia:
Bangladesh
The Daily Star: Election
to reserved seats for women to be indirect The Bangladeshi parliament
legislates to elect reserved seats for women using proportional
representation. November 30, 2004.
The Daily Star: The
Art of the Possible. A move to full representation would be both a
useful and achievable political reform. November 26, 2004.
The Daily Star: Women's
Reserved JS Seats Challenged; HC Bench May Hear Petition Against 14th Amendment
Today. 45 seats in the Bangladesh Parliament reserved for women
elected using choice voting are being challenged as unconstitutional because of
sexual discrimination. July 20, 2004.
The Daily Star: All-party
consensus needed to increase parliament seats. Leading intellectuals
and professionals critique the government's decision to increase the number of
constituencies used in parliamentary elections. January 17, 2004.
The New Nation: Badruddoza
says: 'I resigned to avert constitutional crisis'. Following his
resignation former President Badruddoza Chowdhury reiterated a call for
political reforms, including proportional representation. January 6, 2004.
The Daily Star, Bangladesh: Parliamentary
reforms: Laws for lawmakers are the crying need. Opinion article
suggests that Bangladesh���s Parliament suffers from corruption and
self-interest. Advocates various structural reforms, including the use of a full
representation system to replace the current plurality system. July 22, 2003.
Barbados
Try these links for background information on Barbados
politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Barbados, Wikipedia.org:
Politics of Barbados, Electionresources.org:
Barbados
Barbados Daily Nation : Reasonings:
Democracy under threat ? Editorial in favor of full representation in
Barbados. Under the current plurality system, there are only two opposition
members in the 28 member parliament. January 20, 2003.
Botswana
Try these links for background
information on Botswana politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Botswana, Wikipedia:
Botswana, Psephos:
Botswana
Daily News, Botswana: Politicians
call for radical electoral reforms. Election Audit workshop
participants called for sweeping reforming, including a move to full
representation systems. November 29, 2004.
Daily News, Botswana: Tripartite
opposition pact launches manifesto. Sweeping motion to unseat current
regime and institute proportional representation. May 31, 2004.
Mmegi Online: BFTU
roots for proportional representation. Botswana's largest labor
organization calls for PR as an improvement in national governance. May 25,
2004.
Mmegi, Bostwana: Koma
calls for proportional representation. Botswana member of parliament
renews his call for proportional representation, arguing that the nation would
receive international praise for using such a system. November 26, 2003.
Daily News, Botswana: Perpetual
rule, opposition party splits frustrating, says MISA director. The
director of the Media Institute for Southern Africa, speaking at a Botswana
Congress Party conference, calls for a an electoral system combining full
representation (proportional representation) with single-member districts.
Botswana currently uses the plurality system, and the National Assembly has been
dominated by a single party for decades. July 28, 2003.
Mmegi, Botswana: BCP
revels in progress. The Botswana Congress Party is calling for a
change from the plurality system, to a combined system of full representation.
The BCP won 11.3% of the vote in the 1999 National Assembly elections, but only
won 2.5% of the seats. July 25, 2003.
Republic of Botswana, Botswana: Koosaletse
criticises govt pact with US. The Botswana Congress Party, who
support full representation, are critical of a deal that the ruling party has
made, which exempts US nationals from provisions of the International Criminal
Court. July 24, 2003.
Bulgaria
Try these links for background
information on Bulgarian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Bulgaria, Wikipedia:
Bulgaria
Novinte.com: Bulgaria���s
Electoral Code Passed at First Reading . Bulgaria���s Parliament
passed a new Electoral code which changes the voting system from direct party
list full representation to a parallel semi-proportional system. July 2, 2003
Cambodia
Try these links for background information on Cambodian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Cambodia, Wikipedia:
Cambodia
Voice of America News: Ruling
Party Wins Cambodian Election . Article discusses the results of the
election and their implications. August, 2003.
Associated Press Asia: Officials
Confirm Hun Sen Party���s Leads. Cambodia, which uses a party list
form of full representation, also has a requirement that parties or coalitions
must have two-thirds control in Parliament to form a government. The KPK or
Cambodian People���s Party, led by Hun Sen, has won a clear majority of the
seats, but nevertheless must form a coalition in order to create a government.
The difficulty of this may lead to prolonged political deadlock. July 31, 2003.
Canada
The movement for electoral reform is having an
impressive degree of success in Canada. Recently, the British
Columbia Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform has recommended choice voting
for elections in the province. FairVote
Canada is the leading group working toward electoral reform in the country.
Try these links for background
information on Canadian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Canada, Wikipedia:
Canada. Also see information on British
Columbia's Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, electoral
reform projects around the nation, and our page on the progress of electoral
reform in Canada.
The Telegraph-Journal Democratic
Reform: Can the political system stomach a makeover? New Brunswick's
possible move to full representation could have a big impact on how politics is
carried out in the province. January 18, 2005.
CBC News: The
changing face of democracy Opinion piece touting the potential advantages of
full representation in Canada. December 10, 2004
Georgia Straight: Political
connections: Greens, Liberals drove assembly to STV. Discussion of the
party political concerns behind the Citizens' Assembly's recommendation of
choice voting. December 9, 2004
Vancouver Sun: Hugs,
tears as assembly says farewell. BC Citizens' Assembly on Electoral
Reform meets for the final time. November 29, 2004
Ancaster News: Current
election system needs review. Discussion of the problems which a
winner take all system causes in Ontario. November 26, 2004
Calgary Sun: No
small wins in supersizing. A call for consideration of full
representation in Alberta in view of unfair winner take all election
results. November 24, 2004
Victoria News: One,
two, three - get ready for B.C.'s new way of voting.
A discussion of the
implications of STV for British Columbian politics. November 17, 2004
Globe and Mail: Ottawa
may open debate on electoral reforms Following British Columbia's
example, Ottawa's Liberal Party leader has put together a proposal for a public
forum to discuss electoral reform. November 15, 2004.
Vancouver Sun: Assembly
opinions devastating for B.C.'s electoral system. A discussion
of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform's current recommendation that a
full representation system be implemented in British Columbia. September
14, 2004.
CBC: Democracy
commission to release report New
Brunswick's commission on legislative democracy
will release its interim report
on electoral reform for the province. September 8, 2004
The Globe and Mail: Try
it in Alberta. An editorial about the use of full
representation in Alberta, Canada. August 4, 2004.
The Toronto Star: Making
It Count. A discussion of the recent parliamentary elections in
Canada and why they illustrate the need to switch to proportional
representation. July 10, 2004.
The Globe and Mail: 5
Provinces Consider Voting Changes. Although the effort to
switch to proportional representation in Canada at a national level may be
blocked, five provinces, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and
Prince Edward Island, are considering the adoption of proportional
representation. July 9, 2004.
Toronto Star: Putting
a New Face on Voting. If Canada would have used proportional
voting in their recent elections, the makeup of the new House of Commons would
have been different, though still divided. June 30, 2004.
CNews: Three
Parties Squeezed in First-Past-the-Post System Have Change to Change It.
Many different groups in Canada want to make the switch to proportional voting
in an effort to have a more representative government. Several provinces
in Canada are currently considering election reforms. June 29, 2004.
Montreal Gazette: NDP's
Layton Ready to Play Central Role. NDP's Layton, who won in a
razor-thin victory in own riding, says that proportional representation will be
a key issue in the next Parliament. June 29, 2004.
Toronto Star: Editorial:
NDP to Play Key Role. Canada's New Democratic Party leader Jack
Layton hoped to gain coalition support of the Liberals in exchange for a
national referendum on the adoption of a proportional representation system.
June 30, 2004.
CBC News Online: Electoral
Reform: Changing the Way Government Is Elected. An analysis of
why Canada is exploring adopting a choice voting system for their national
elections. The article also highlights how this new system would work, as
well as its impacts on various provinces in Canada. June 2004.
The Globe and Mail: Proportional
Representation Aids Democracy. Canada's NDP Party is promoting
a switch to full representation for Parliament elections. June 24, 2004.
This Week: Kamloops
slated for citizens' assembly. Committee to convene on the prospect
of British Columbia embracing full representation. May 25, 2004.
Toronto Star: More
than tokens. Women aren't proportionally represented in Parliament,
something political parties are scrambling to address. May 25, 2004.
The Globe and Mail: Voter
satisfaction dropping, poll says. Nearly a third of he Canadian
electorate wants to switch to proportional representation. May 25, 2004.
CBC News Online: Electoral
system blamed for fewer female politicians. Because New Brunswick's
Parliament is only 13% female, an independent group has called for replacing the
current party nomination system with a party list ballot that would allocate
seats in proportion to the popular vote. March 3, 2004.
The Ottawa Citizen: A
House divided could mean a Senate reformed. Commentary from two
Canadian businessmen calls for the introduction of PR in the Senate to be part
of an imminent legislative reform. March 9, 2004.
Rabble News: Jack
Layton: bringing energy and new hope. Canada will be holding a
national election this spring, and the Liberals are suddenly beset by a scandal
that could weaken their stranglehold on parliament. The New Democratic
Party is rising in the polls, and its leader has said that if it's in a position
to allow the Liberals to run the government, a non-negotiable demand is a
national referendum on PR. February 17, 2004.
The Miami Herald: Canadian
Briefs - Nova Scotia Premier supports electing senators for vacant positions.
Whereas Canadian senators are traditionally appointed by the Prime Minister, the
Nova Scotia Premier will follow Alberta's lead and hold elections for seats as
they become vacant. NDP leader Jack Layton dismissed this move and asserted that
steps towards electoral reform should lead to full representation in the House
of Commons. February 8, 2004.
The Globe and Mail: Panel
to recommend proportional voting. The independent Law Commission of
Canada will recommend in a March report that the House of Commons adopt a full
representation system for electing members of parliament. Critics fear that such
a change would result in governmental chaos, while advocates hope that it would
solve some of the problems facing the nation, such as low voter turnout and
civic participation. February 2, 2004.
In Is Canada the
mature nation the PM says it is?, the same author, John Ibbitson,
then raises questions as to how politics would play out among the major parties
with a full representation system in place. February 2, 2004
The Globe and Mail: PR
would have saved the PCs. This commentary advocates full
representation in Canada as a way to increase the representation of minority
parties and get more people out to vote. January 2, 2004.
Toronto Star: Ministers
may face $500 fines: Liberals explore new voting methods -- State your choice by
phone or Internet? Liberal party to create a Democratic Renewal
Secretariat to explore fixed election dates and alternative voting methods,
including proportional representation. December 9, 2003.
Toronto Star: McGuinty
likes citizens assembly initiative, B.C. premier says. Praise for the
British Columbian Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, which is looking into
changing the province's electoral system. November 24, 2003.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:
Liberals
want to change the way Quebec votes. The Liberal Party, which has
majority control in Quebec���s provincial government, have announced that it
plans to introduce some form of full representation in time for the next
election. The latest election was on April 14, 2003, and the next election
doesn���t have a definitive date, as election terms are not fixed in Canada.
July 11, 2003.
Elm Street Magazine: The
Unjust Society. A women���s group in Canada discusses full
representation (proportional representation) as a means to allow more equal
representation for women in Parliament, and discuss the state of the women���s
movement in general. July 3, 2003.
CBC News Online: Is
proportional representation really on the agenda? Article discusses
various possible motivations for Quebec government to move towards full
representation. Multiple parties are interested, although not committed, and it
is not clear how strong of a full representation system will be put in place if
there is a change. April 1, 2003.
Hailfax Daily News : Handicapping
the Tories. Profiles of candidates vying for leadership of the
Canadian Progressive Conservative party. David Orchard, a long-shot candidate,
supports full representation. February 7, 2003.
Leader-Post: Nystrom
and Proctor get nod for critic posts. Full representation is a top
priority of the newly appointed justice critic for the New Democratic Party of
Canada, Lorne Nystrom. February 5, 2003.
CBC News Online : Layton
vows to put debate back in Canadian politics.��� Jack Layton, the
recently elected leader of the Canadian federal New Democratic Party, calls for
a national referendum on full representation. January 26, 2003.
CBC New Brunswick : Prof
lobbies for electoral change . Article discusses the support of
political scientists for full representation in Canada. January 23, 2003
Fair Vote Canada: Political
scientists from 34 Canadian universities call for national referendum on
electoral reform. 103 political scientists from 34 universities have
endorsed a call for a public consultation and public referendum process that
would enable Canada to switch to full representation (proportional representaion).
January 22, 2003.
Globe and Mail : NDP
risks stagnating, Nystrom warns . Lorne Nystrom, a candidate for the
Canadian New Democratic Party, criticizes his opponents. All candidates,
however, are in favor of full representation.
The Vancouver Sun: NDP
front-runner promises referendum. Jack Layton, the frontrunner for
New Democratic Party leadership in Canada, promises to make a referedum on full
representation a condition of joining into a coalition government. Includes a
table illustrating how the distribution of seats in Parliament would have been
different with full representation. January 6, 2003.
China
(Hong Kong)
Try these links for background information on Hong Kong politics and
elections: Electionworld.org:
Hong Kong, Psephos:
Hong Kong
The Standard: Legco
IPO Today. Candidates for Hong Kong's upcoming Legislative
Council elections must declare their candidacy by today. A
proportional-list system is used to elect candidates, and there is much
speculation about who will announce their candidacy and for what party.
July 22, 2004.
The Straits Times: Pro-democracy
vs pro-China in Legco polls. Elections for the Hong Kong Legislative
Council (Legco) will occur this year, using a full representation system where
voters choose their preferred party. According to this article, the elections
are already heating up, as certain political parties are being criticized for
their support of the Beijing government. January 22, 2004.
Egypt
Try these links for background information on
Egyptian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Egypt, Wikipedia:
Egypt Assyrian International News
Agency: Reforms,
freedom in Egypt The Egyptian National Democratic Party called for extensive
political reforms, including a move to full representation in Egypt. November 4,
2004.
Estonia
Try these links for background information on Estonian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Estonia, Wikipedia:
Estonia
VOA News: Estonia
Holds Parliamentary Elections . Article written on the day of the
March elections to Estonia���s Parliament. The result was that a coalition
government was formed between Res Publica, Reform, and Rahvaliit. March 2, 2003.
Fiji
Try these links for background information on Fijian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Fiji, Wikipedia:
Fiji
Reuters: Fijian
verdict welcomed. The Supreme Court of the Fiji Islands ruled that
the Prime Minister must give proportional representation in his Cabinet to all
parties with more than 10 seats in the House of Representatives. This means that
the main opposition party, the Fiji Labour Party, will gain seats in the
cabinet. The Fiji Labour party has 27 of the 71 seats in the House, the Soqosoqo
Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) / United Fiji Party has 32, the Matanitu Vanua (MV)
/ Conservative Alliance Party has 6, and the rest of the seats are held by
smaller parties. At present the government is formed by a coalition of SDL and
MV. July 19, 2003.
France
(Corsica)
Try this links for background information on Corsican politics and elections: Widipedia:
Corsica
The Guardian : Corsicans
say No to home rule . A plan for giving Corsica greater political
autonomy from France was submitted to the Corsican people by referendum. It was
narrowly defeated, by 51% to 49%. The plan would have created a single Corsican
assembly elected by full representation. July 7, 2003.
Ghana
Try these links for background information on politics and elections in Ghana: Electionworld.org:
Ghana, Wikipedia:
Ghana
GhanaWeb: Go
to the Court for redress - Papa Owusu-Ankomah. Speaking on the
general theme of 'National Integration," Professor John Kaburise of the
University for Development Studies advocates proportional representation in
Ghana. November 21, 2003.
Ghanaian Chronicle, Ghana: MP
pushes for proportional representation. A Member of Parliament in
Ghana suggested that the Parliament should change to a full representation
(proportional representation) system, from the current plurality system. Also,
different formulas are discussed for adding seats to the Parliament to cope with
Ghana���s growing population. February 27, 2003.
Greece
Try these links for background information on Greek politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Greece, Wikipedia:
Greece
Athens: Scale
of Conservatives' triumph stuns Greece. The conservative New
Democracy party won the plurality in the country's March 7 elections, giving
them the majority of Parliament seats--which some say was too much, given the
slim margin of victory. March 8, 2004.
Kathimerini: An
old favorite. Editorial suggests political motivations behind
the Greek PASOK party���s attention to possible changes in the electoral law.
The PASOK party controls a majority of the seats in the Greek Parliament. July
28, 2003.
Kathimerini: With
what political compass... Discussion of the political factors
involved in a likely change in the Greek electoral system. July 21, 2003.
ERT, Athens: Simitis
aims for electoral reform . In Greece, the socialist PASOK party has
put forward plans for electoral reform. They have majority control in
Parliament, with 158 of 300 seats. The main opposition is the conservative New
Democracy party, with 125 seats. The Communist KKE party have 11 seats, the
socialist Coalition of the Left and Progress has 6 seats, and the socialist
DIKKI party has no seats at present. July 19, 2003.
Kathimerini: A
clash before elections. Debates between parties over possible changes
to the electoral law, including a change in Greek���s system of full
representation. To make the article more clear, the socialist PASOK party has
majority control in Parliament, with 158 of 300 seats. The main opposition is
the conservative New Democracy party, with 125 seats. The Communist KKE party
have 11 seats, the socialist Coalition of the Left and Progress has 6 seats, and
the socialist DIKKI party has no seats at present. July 15, 2003.
India
Try these links for background information on Indian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
India, Wikipedia:
India
Rediff.com: Even
this fractious coalition can do a lot. Despite India's numerous
minority factions in government, legislative progress will not be stalled,
argues this editorial. May 27, 2004.
The Times of India: A
voting system that could change UP's face. Commentary on the
advantages of choosing IRV over traditional first- past-the-post system in
provincial elections.
The Hindu: Jaitly:
Religious quotas dangerous. The ruling party in India has rejected a
bill which would introduce full representation (proportional representation), as
well as reserve seats in Parliament for certain minority groups. July 25, 2003.
People���s Democracy: Women
Demand Quota, Police Arrest Them. For years, the Indian government
has been delaying action on a bill to reserve seats for women in parliament and
state assemblies. June 22, 2003.
Oherlad: Defections
And Proportional Representation. Editorial argues that India should
change their election system from plurality to full representation. The author
believes that full representation will lead to more issues-based campaigns, less
nepotism, less distortion of seats per votes, and greater minority
representation. May 28, 2003
Indonesia
Try these links for background information on Indonesian politics and
elections: Electionworld.org:
Indonesia, Wikipedia.org:
Indonesia, Psephos:
Indonesia
The Jakarta Post: A
guide to the 2004 elections. Indonesia will go through two national
elections this year, including its first direct presidential vote ever. Due to
criticism of corruption and a lack of responsiveness in the government,
electoral reform has been taking place, particularly in the presidential
election system. Legislatures will continue to be elected using full
representation, but some districts will be broken up in order to have
representatives that more closely reflect their constituents. January 26, 2004.
Iraq
New York Times: Iraqi
Shiites win, but margin is less than projection Iraqi election results have
been tabulated, and seats apportioned. With just under half the vote, Shiite
parties can control about 140 seats. Extremely low turnout in some Sunni areas
means that Sunni parties will be under-represented in government. February 14,
2005.
Assyrian International News Agency: The
ballot box beats the coffin Turnout in Iraq's elections is higher than
expected, although the vote was disrupted by violence in some areas. January 31,
2005
Assyrian International News Agency: Iraq
election: wider significance A balanced analysis of how the upcoming
elections will affect the political stability of Iraq. January 21, 2005.
The New Standard: Iraqis
discuss voting, or not, in elections held amidst chaos Discussion of who is
likely to participate in the Iraqi elections and why. January 17, 2005.
Al-Ahram (Egypt): Election
Frenzy A survey of Iraqi politics, and the implications of the
upcoming elections. January 5, 2005.
Newsday: Beyond
Fallujah: Ultimate solution will be political Stresses the importance of
having successful full representation elections for Iraq to stabilize.
November 28, 2004.
Reuters, United Kingdom: Facts
about the Iraq vote A clear presentation of exactly how elections will be
conducted in Iraq and the issues arising from them. November 21, 2004
The Independent: The
Monday Interview: Iraq's elder statesman and potential president.
Summary: This article discusses the possible role of one of Iraq's only
elder statesman, Adnan Pachachi, in the new Iraqi government. Mr. Pachachi
says: "There is now a real possibility of having credible, fair,
transparent elections that would reflect the desire of the Iraqi people more
than anything that has gone before." He welcomes the fact that they will
use a system of proportional representation which means that every vote will
count. August 9, 2004.
Taipei Times: A
Peaceful Alternative for Iraq. This article explores the
religious, ethnic and political divisions which exist in Iraq, and how
proportional representation will help address this complex situation in a
peaceful manner. July 20, 2004.
The Washington Post: The
Right Plan for Iraqi Voters. In this op-ed, Andrew Reynolds
explores the reasons why using proportional representation as an electoral
system in Iraq is the right decision. July 6, 2004.
The Washington Times: Iraqis
Set for Proportional Representation in Election. Iraq will be using full representation to elect their first
democratic government in an effort to involve as many citizens as possible and
maintain the integrity of the election. June 13, 2004
The New York Times: Iraq's
Interim Prime Minister Vows to Reclaim Sovereignty. Iraq's
newly appointed Prime Minster Ayad Allawi announced that Iraq would use
proportional representation in the upcoming elections. Many individuals in
Iraq favor the use of proportional representation which will give a stronger
voice in the new government to different ethnic and religious groups. June
5, 2004.
Ireland
Try these links for background information on Irish politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Ireland, Wikipedia:
Ireland
Channel News Asia: Setback
for Irish Ruling Party as Sinn Fein Vote Surges. Recent Irish
elections using PR-STV saw the Irish majority party, Fianna Fail lose power to
Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA. June 13, 2004.
Politics.ie: Constituency
Boundary revisions favour large parties - Greens. The Green Party has
asserted that the proposed move to smaller constituencies will make it more
difficult for small parties and independents to win seats in the Parliament.
January 8, 2004.
Irish Examiner: Let���s
have one constituency for European polls. Because new countries are
being added to the European Parliament, the share of seats for countries already
represented in the Parliament, such as Ireland, is decreasing, and therefore
constituent boundaries will have to be redrawn. The author of this piece
suggests that instead of drawing a new set of boundaries, Ireland should elect
EP members as a single national constituency, using full representation, of
course. July 18, 2003.
U.TV: Sinn
Fein in plea over Senate elections . The Sinn Fein party is
advocating that the Irish Senate (the Seanad) be directly elected by universal
suffrage. July 15, 2003.
Economic and Social Research Council: Devolution
remains popular despite problems with Good Friday Agreement. The
Economic and Social Research Council organized a conference on devolution in
Northern Ireland. Research was presented showing that many people in Ireland
support devolution over other options. Another paper was presented, arguing that
a mixed member proportional system based on instant runoff voting might be
preferable to choice voting. March 4, 2003.
Israel
Try these links for background
information on Israeli politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Israel, Wikipedia.org:
Israel
Jerusalem Post: Go
beyond electoral reform. Israeli political science professor
summarizes the reforms needed to maintain proportional representation in the
Knesset. (March 4, 2004)
Ha���aretz: Was
return to single ballot a mistake? Israel has changed from a twin
ballot system to a single ballot system. In the twin ballot system, voters
placed one vote for the Prime Minister, and a separate vote for a party list.
The single ballot system discards the direct vote for the Prime Minister, but
maintains the party list vote, which is the full representation component of the
election. January 29, 2003.
TIME: Israel
Votes, But Little Will Change . The author criticizes Israel���s
party list system of full representation, and discusses the balance of power in
the Knesset, which he views as leading to a stagnant continuance of current
deadlock. January 27, 2003.
Israel Insider : An
Israeli democrat���s lament . Editorial attacking the Israeli
government and its system of full representation. January 27, 2003
Italy
Try these links for background
information on Italian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Italy, Wikipedia:
Italy
Agenzia Giornalistica Italia: Reforms:
Mazzella proposing new format for ruling parties. Italy's Minister of
Public Administration suggests electoral reform, to include full representation
in the parliament. February 7, 2004.
Agenzia Giornalistica Italia: Reform:
Follini, we agree with premiership . Comments from Italian Christian
Democratic Union secretary Marco Follini on the possibility of further electoral
system reform. July 7, 2003.
Japan
Try these links for background
information on Italian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Japan, Psephos:
Japan, Wikipedia:
Japan
The Japan Times: The
Whys and Wherefores of House of Councilor Elections. A question
and answer overview of the political scene in the last moments before Japan's
House of Councilors elections using proportional representation. July 10,
2004.
The Japan Times: "A
place for 'judicial positivism'." This editorial analyzes the
recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of the current electoral system. January
20, 2004.
Asahi Shimbun: Balance
vote disparity. This editorial criticizes a recent ruling of the
Supreme Court to uphold the current electoral process, arguing that there need
to be reform in order to minimize "vote-weight gaps" and improve the
system. January 16, 2004.
The Japan Times: Upper
House electoral system upheld. Japan's Supreme Court ruled that the
full representation system used to elect members of the Upper House is
consistent with their constitution. January 15, 2004.
For more information on this case, see the Asahi Shimbun article Weighty
Issue: Top court upholds election. January 15, 2004.
The Japan Times: Reliance
on Komeito reflects LDP decline. Recent elections reveal the workings
of coalitions among the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito
and Soka Gakkai -- both third parties. In the November House of Representatives
elections, New Komeito endorsed LDP candidates running in single-seat districts
in exchange for LDP support of New Komeito members in proportional
representation elections. January 3, 2004.
Daily Yomiuri: New
Komeito tactics alarm LDP. Article discusses tactics used by
political parties in Japan's proportional representation electoral system.
December 10, 2003.
The Asahi Shimbun: Lost
decade of politics. Editorial discusses the state of politics in
Japan. August 9, 2003.
Jordan
Jordan Times: Jordan's
Rankings Unchanged in Human Development Report 2004. A
UNDP report examining the progress on human development in Jordan cited
proporational representation as an effective means of maintaining the cultural
freedoms of migrant populations. August 10, 2004.
Kenya
Try these links for background
information on Kenyan politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Kenya, Wikipedia:
Kenya
Daily Nation: Electoral
body seeks changes to poll rules. Kenya's electoral commission calls
for proportional representation to better serve urban populations and for
greater ease of voter registration.
Daily Nation: The
past returns to haunt delegates. The Constitutional Conference in
Kenya sparks debate over the country's electoral system. One participant, Gibson
Kamau Kuria, laments the lack of full representation. January 23, 2004.
The East African Standard: The
Disabled Must Be Visible By Law. Editorial advocating more specific
standards for people with disabilities to be represented in the Kenyan
Parliament. February 2, 2003.
The East African Standard: Distribution
of parliamentary seats is unfair . Editorial pointing out the severe
disparities of representation in Kenya, such that electoral districts with very
different population sizes are represented by the same number of seats in
parliament. December 25, 2002.
The East African Standard (Nairobi): Law
Could Ease Land Rows. The author makes the case for the proposed
draft Constitution in Kenya, which includes regional devolution of powers within
a unitary state, bicameralism, and a mixed member system of full representation.
He explains why this is needed to help resolve tension between different
minority and majority groups within Kenya. November 23, 2002.
Korea
(South)
Try this link for background information on South Korean politics and elections:
Electionworld.org:
South Korea
The Dong-A Ilbo: Uri
Party to Revise Election and Political Funding Laws. South
Korea's ruling party, the Uri Party, is considering the reform of its
electoral system, including enlarging the constituency system and introducing
proportional representation. July 18, 2004.
The Dong-A Ilbo: Uri
party won 152; GNP won 121. Under PR,
six parties will receive seats in parliament in proportion to their electoral
support in the April 15 election. April 16, 2004.
Korea Herald: Disabled
female activist tops Uri party seats Korea's
political parties use a list-PR system to ensure minority party and women's
representation in parliament. March 29, 2004.
Korea Herald: Odd
path to equality. Korea's National Assembly's Special Political
Reform Committee has proposed establishing 26 additional constituencies where
only women will run for legislative seats. February 17, 2004.
Korea Herald: Panel
passes election revision bills, but far from reaching compromise on other
changes. A political reform committee has come to a consensus on
three electoral changes, including a reduction in the number of parliamentary
seats elected using full representation and requiring half of these positions to
be occupied by women. February 10, 2004.
The Dong-A Ilbo: New
Trend for General Election - Women Rule Over. This article describes
the current scramble by political parties to find women candidates. The
situation arose after all parties committed themselves to allocating half of
their full representation seats in the legislature to women. January 27, 2004.
Korea Times: Electoral
Reform Panel Back in Action. After some delay, the Special
Committee for Political Reform is set to reconvene in the hopes that lawmakers
can come to an agreement on a long-awaited electoral reform bill. January 11,
2004.
Korea Times: Hopes
for Electoral Reforms Dashed. Political parties are unlikely to come
to an agreement on electoral reform this legislative cycle. December 29, 2003.
Korea Herald: Reform
panel to finalize plans today. A special committee on political
reform in the National Assembly will discuss and vote on a plan to change the
electoral system. Full representaion is being considered and is a
particularly contentious issue. December 22, 2003.
Korea Herald: Roh
sends Assembly political reform plan. President Roh's plan for
electoral reform supports full representation. December 18, 2003.
JoongAng Daily: Roh
presents reform plan. President Roh Moo-hyun is proposing electoral
reform in South Korea, to include full representation. December 18, 2003.
Korea Times: FTC
Alerts Chaebol Again Over Corporate Governance System. A proposed
plan for market reform calls for using cumulative voting in corporations to
strengthen the voice of small shareholders. October 19, 2003.
Korea Herald: A
gender-equal society. Editorial in favor of political and economic
reforms to help South Korean women, including raising the required ratio of
female candidates for the legislature. July 7, 2003.
Lebanon
Try these links for background information on Lebanese politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Lebanon, Wikipedia:
Lebanon
Daily Star, Lebanon: Communist
party calls for a single electoral district. The Lebanese Communist
party suggest that a nation-wide election under a list system would reduce
sectarianism. January 5, 2005.
Daily Star, Lebanon: Candidate
called for system of proportional representation. Riad al-Asaad, an
independent politician and candidate for Parliament, who is promoting the
gradual application in Lebanon of proportional representation, starting with the
May vote. December 27, 2004.
Daily Star, Lebanon: Proportional
Representation Reflects Variety. Lebanon's reformed-minded
leaders feel that parliamentary elections should adopt proportional
representation to encourage competition, adequate representation for minority
party and a wider electoral ticket. July 2, 2004.
Daily Star, Lebanon: Iraq���s
governing council: foul or fair? The author, a former Jordanian
ambassador, believes that the Iraqi governing council should be based on full
representation rather than a rigidly divisive system based on ethnic and
religious groupings. August 8, 2003.
Monday Morning, Lebanon: Lebanon
still in thrall to the sectarian mindset. Interview with a
member of the Lebanese Parliament. He critiques the government as being
sectarian and elitist, and names full representation as a possible solution.
July 22, 2003.
Daily Star, Lebanon: Karami
says ���small election district��� best. A proposal has been made to
elect Parliamentary seats in Lebanon using full representation. In this
article, a Lebanese Member of Parliament registers his opinion against full
representation. Currently, Lebanon uses a form of at-large plurality voting
known as party block, where a party winning a plurality of the votes in a
multiple member district receives all the seats in that district.
Lesotho
AllAfrica.com: Lesotho:
Focus on Challenges to Multiparty Democracy. Although democracy
remains fragile in Lesotho, according to a South African think tank, recent
electoral reforms, including moving from a winner-take-all to full
representation system, have reduced the probability of election-time unrest.
January 15, 2004.
Liberia
Try these links for background
information on Liberian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Liberia, Wikipedia:
Liberia
The Analyst: NEC:
Allay, Don't Justify Fears The Electoral Reform Bill brings limited
voting to Liberia. December 17, 2004
Inter Press Service : Taylor
Seeks Re-Election, Despite Growing Opposition . Article that
discusses the struggle for peace and democracy in war-torn Liberia. January 30,
2003
Malawi
Try these links for background information on Malawi's
politics and elections: Electionworld.org:Malawi,
Wikipedia:Malawi
The Nation: UDF
wants president to control deputy. Malawi's political parties gathered at a
constitutional review conference and recommended a number of electoral reforms,
including a move to full representation. December 21, 2004.
Voice of Africa: Malawi's
New President Sworn in Amid Clashes between Opposition, Security Forces.
Observers of Mutharika's victory with only 35% of the vote say that a
proportional representation system would obviate the current political
difficulty. May 25, 2004.
Malta
Try these links for background information on Maltese politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Malta, Wikipedia:
Malta
The Times of Malta: Editorial:
Voting Intelligently. A discussion of Malta's voter turnout and
political awareness, and its connection to the use of choice voting.
The Times of Malta: Joseph
Muscat Gets Labour's First Seat. An analysis of Malta's first
European Parliament election, which saw Labour's Joseph Muscat elected using PR-STV.
June 15, 2004.
Haveeru Daily Online: President
calls for historic constitutional reforms. The Maldivian president
wants to move to a more consensus-based party-list PR system for Presidential
elections. June 10, 2004.
Di-ve News: Pro-EU
alliance emerging. Article discusses the possible formation of an
alliance between parties in Malta who are generally at odds with each other, for
the purpose of a campaign to enter the European Union. January 8, 2003.
Mexico
Try these links for background
information on Mexican politics and elections: Instituto
Federal Electoral, Electionworld.org:
Mexico, Wikipedia:
Mexico
Elections
to Mexico's Congress: A brief description of the voting systems used
to elect Mexico's two houses of Congress. See also Results
of Chamber of Deputies Election 2003, a table which analyzes the
results in terms of votes and seats won by each party.
Republic Mexico City Bureau: Mexico's
voters deal Fox setback, deny him a majority in Congress. Mexican
President Vicente Fox is a member of the National Action Party (PAN), which
suffered losses in the Chamber of Deputies election, weakening his position. The
strongest party in Congress is the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the
party which controlled Mexico from the time of the revolution in 1910-1917 until
the elections in 2000 where Fox became President. July 7, 2003.
Associated Press: Campaigning
north of the border. Six of the candidates running for Mexico���s
lower house of Congress are U.S. residents, although they are Mexican citizens.
Such candidates are spending time campaigning for support in the U.S., pledging
to gain a voice in Congress for Mexican citizens living in America. Although
millions of U.S. residents are technically eligible to vote in Mexican
elections, they are not allowed an absentee ballot, and so must travel to Mexico
to vote. Mexico uses a mixed member system of full representation. June 18,
2003.
Monaco
Try these links for background
information on politics and elections in Monaco: Electionworld.org:
Monaco, Wikipedia:
Monaco
Associated Press : Monaco
Votes For Parliamentary Seats . Article written on the day of the
2003 elections, in which the opposition party won 21 of 24 seats from what had
been the ruling party for decades. February 9, 2003.
Namibia
Try these links for background
information on Namibian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Namibia, Wikipedia:
Namibia
The Namibian: Debate
starting on amendments to Electoral Act. Although the ward system of
single member districts has been abolished in favor of full representation
through the Local Authorities Amendment Act, single member districts still
remain a part of the Electoral Act. An amendment is proposed to remove them from
the text of the electoral act as well. June 19, 2003.
The Namibian: SWAPO
Members ���Want Ward System.' Article discusses the results of a
survey by the Institute for Public Policy Research. SWAPO stats for ���South
West African People���s Organization,��� and it is the strongest political party
in Namibia by far. Although SWAPO officials chose a full representation system
for local government in Namibia, the survey found that most supporters of the
SWAPO party would have prepared a single member district system. February 27,
2003.
Nepal
Try these links for background
information on Nepalese politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Nepal, Wikipedia:
Nepal
The Guardian: Maoist
emerges to claim Nepal. Article about the Nepalese rebels, who are
asking for multi-party democracy and full representation (proportional
representation). May 29, 2003.
People���s Review, Nepal: Dr.
Johan Galtung suggests for revision of constitution. A peace studies
professor suggests full representation as part of a peace plan for Nepal, which
has been engaged in a civil war since 1996. May 22-28, 2003.
New
Zealand
The Electoral
Reform Coalition advocates full representation in New Zealand.
Also, try these links for background
information on politics and elections in New Zealand: Electionworld.org:
New Zealand, Wikipedia:
New Zealand
New Zealand Herald: Voting
Systems Unfair on Rural Interest Groups. Choice voting
will now be used to elect District Health Board members in New Zealand instead
of a ward system. Members of rural communities are unsure how this switch
will impact their voice. August 9, 2004.
New Zealand News: Capital
area changes voting system. New
Zealand's capital, Wellington, and surrounding areas, will
change from a first-past-the-post system to a choice voting
system for the upcoming local elections in October. July
26, 2004.
Scoop: Newman
On-Line ��� The Big Double-Tick. An editorial by Dr. Muriel
Newman that discusses the proportional representation electoral system of New
Zealand, and how it has shaped the political landscape of the country.
July 15, 2004.
Toronto Star: New
Zealand System a 'Qualified Success'. Canada's NDP Party has
used the success of New Zealand's proportional representation system as a model
for its own electoral reforms. New Zealand boasts higher numbers of women
and minorities in its parliament, more small party participation, as well as
greater stability in the government. July 10, 2004.
Scoop: Get
Involved in the Health of Your Community. Press release from
the New Zealand Government encouraging participation the in elections for
district health boards. This process will use proportional voting.
June 11, 2004.
The National Business Review: Pro-Business
Farry to Slash Dunedin Red Tape. The city of Dunedin for the
first time will use PR-STV or choice voting to elect their mayor from a a field
of five candidates in the upcoming elections. June 4, 2004.
New Zealand Herald: MMP's
a management problem Kiwi commentator critiques Auckland's current
arrangement but lambastes anachronous American system. May 15, 2004.
New Zealand Herald: Time
to take confusion out of voting. This editorial supports the desire
of retiring Electoral Commission chief to have a single, independent agency
responsible for all electoral issues. January 16, 2004.
Scoop: Government
confirms changes to DHB elections. New Zealand Citizens will now be
able to elect all members of their District Health Board using single
transferable voting. December 17, 2003.
The National Business Review, New Zealand: Poll:
Electors yet to be won over by the merits of MMP. A poll taken over
seven years indicates that New Zealand citizens are evenly split when it comes
to favoring the former first-past-the-post system or their own mixed member
proportional representation system. December 10, 2003.
Scoop: MMP
electoral system is working well. A Progressive Party press release
applauds the New Zealand mixed member proportional representation system.
December 1, 2003.
Australian Broadcasting Company Online: New
Zealand debates whether to scrap exclusive Maori Parliamentary seats.
Debate in New Zealand over whether to abolish the seats in Parliament reserved
for Maori members. Some have suggested that New Zealand���s Mixed Member
Proportional system of full representation should be able to provide fair
representation for the Maori people in itself. May 25, 2003.
Nigeria
Daily Times of Nigeria: Reforming
the Country's Electoral System. An analysis of the importance of an electoral system and the benefits of
proportional voting in Nigeria. June 23, 2004.
Pakistan
Try these links for background
information on Pakistani politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Pakistan, Wikipedia:
Pakistan
Daily Times, Pakistan: 35
in race for 22 seats from NWFP. Article provides background on
Pakistan���s Senate, which is elected by the members of the Provincial
Assemblies using choice voting. It also lists the candidates who are running.
February 23, 2003.
Hi Pakistan: Bargaining
for Senate seats in full swing. Members of the Pakistan Senate
are elected by the members of the provincial assemblies assemblies (who number
168 in total), using choice voting. This article discusses the different voting
power of each political party, in terms of how many Senators they will be able
to elect on their own, and how many votes they will have left over to pool with
other parties to elect further Senators. February 16, 2003.
Palestine
Try these links for background information on
Palestinian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:Palestine,
Wikipedia: Palestine
Haaretz
International: Hamas
demands new Palestinian election system. Hamas
calls for full representation to be used in Palestinian Authority
elections. November 19, 2004.
Papua New Guinea
The National: Launa
Wins Poll. Papua New Guinea's recent elections used limited
voting and successfully removed politicians accused of corruption. July 2,
2004.
The National: Jamie
wins poll: Beats close rival Wai 23,408 votes to 18,610.
June 10, 2004.
ABC Radio Australia: PNG
electoral official hails success of new voting system. June 18,
2004.
The National: Polling
begins: 78 Candidates in a race for 3 seats. Citizens of the
Karamui-Nomane province are the first in the nation to use limited preferential
voting (LPV) to elect provincial representatives. May 25, 2004.
Phillipines
The Daily Inquirer: Eight
is enough. Editorial suggests method of using
proportional representation system to appease minority political interest. June
2, 2004.
Poland
Try these links for background
information on Polish politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Poland, Wikipedia:
Poland
Warsaw Business Journal: For
sale: Euro seats. Editorial rails against the use of proportional
representation in Poland, for elections to the Polish Sejm and the Polish
members of the European Parliament. February 16, 2003.
Russia
Try these links for background information on Russian politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Russia, Wikipedia:
Russia, Ace
Project
Interfax: Duma
passes in first reading proportional representation bill The bill
moves Russia from a parallel system to one where all representatives are elected
from party lists. December 24, 2004.
Interfax: Parliamentary
elections underway in South Ossetia. The breakaway republic of
South Ossetia is using proportional representation in their elections, which are
monitored by Moscow. May 24, 2004.
The Guardian: Pro
Kremlin Party Sweeps Russia Elections. Discusses the outcome of the
recent Duma elections, in which the United Russia Party consolidated its power.
December 8, 2003. USA
today also printed a similar article.
CNN: Background:
Russian Election Primer. Describes the Russian electoral system.
December 8, 2003.
Radio Free Europe: Russia: Centrists
Propose Changing Electoral Law. Article discusses a proposal by the
powerful Unified Russia Party to raise the minimum threshold of votes that
parties would need to gain seats in the parliament. If passed, such a measure
would decrease the ability of smaller parties to participate in government.
October 18, 2002.
Pravda: State
Duma Speaker Favors 5 Percent Threshold for Parties in 2003 Parliamentary
Elections. Brief news article. Duma speaker is opposed to changing
minimum vote threshold for seats in Russian parliament before the 2003
elections. October 14, 2002.
Serbia
Try these links for background
information on South African politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Serbia, Wikipedia:
Serbia
B92 News: G17
Plus inter-party negotiations continue. As inter-party discussions
occur, Social Democracy party proposes election legislation that would include
full representation. September 9, 2003.
South
Africa
New! South
Africa PR page: 2004 election coverage
Try these links for background information on South African
politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
South Africa, Wikipedia:
South Africa
Africa Recovery: Women
Break into African Politics. This article highlights the
advances made by women in African politics which has been attributed to the use
of full representation. April 2004.
The Star: The
lowdown on local government. Editorial feature describes the
full representation method used for local elections, which is a mixed
party-list/first-past-the-post system. May 20, 2004.
News24: Electoral
system stays as is. An electoral task team has recommended that
the 2004 elections take place according to the current party list system, but
most of those on the team recommend that the system be changed for the 2009
elections. If the system is eventually changed, the new system, like
the current one, will probably incorporate some form of full representation.
March 5, 2003.
Business Day (Johannesburg): Marginalised
Need Better Access to the Workings of Parliament. Discussing
the State of the Nation address, the author praises South Africa���s system of
full representation (proportional representation), but also feels that the
government should go further in representing and granting access to the people
of South Africa. February 26, 2003.
Business Day (Johannesburg): Party
List System Needs to Change . Editorial supporting a possible change
in South Africa from direct party list full representation to a system of mixed
member proportional representation. January 9, 2003
Sunday Times, South Africa: ANC
lashes out at IFP/DA on KZN poll. Conflict between political
parties in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. Although the African
National Congress party has a strong majority nationwide, the Inkatha Freedom
Party leads the regional government in KwaZulu-Natal, and they have decided to
call for early elections there, drawing criticism from the ANC.
���Floor-crossing,��� as used in the article, refers to a Member of Parliament
voting differently from the rest of their party.
Spain
Spain's voters replaced the ruling Partido Popular with the
Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol on March 14, 2004. Election results and
description of the Spanish parliamentary system are featured
here.
Reuters: Socialists
claim victory in Spanish election. The socialist party ousted
the Popular party by a 5% margin, winning an outright majority of parliamentary
seats. March 14, 2004.
Sri
Lanka
Try these links for background information on politics and elections in Sri
Lanka: Electionworld.org:
Sri Lanka, Wikipedia:
Sri Lanka
Tamilnet: NGOs
propose election reforms in Sri Lanka Colombo-based NGOs call for
reform and modification to Sri Lanka's full representation voting system.
December 23, 2004
Daily Mirror: Sri
Lanka's Electoral System: Bogy or asset? Editorial by Dr.
Chandra Dolawatte defends use of proportional representation in Sri Lanka.
February 14, 2004.
Hindustan Times: For
Chandrika, ordering snap polls was an agonising decision. This
article analyzes the political situation in Sri Lanka that lead up to President
Kumaratunga's recent dissolving of parliament. February 9, 2004.
Sunday Observer: Minority
parties react to Electoral Reform Report. An electoral reform
committee interim report advocates a mixed first-past-the-post and full
representation system for Sri Lanka. Muslim leaders welcome the recommendation,
while Tamil (particularly Northeast Tamil) leaders have some reservations and
would like to see full representation as part of a package aimed at resolving
'the national ethnic problem'. February 1, 2004.
Daily News: Select
Committee on Electoral Reform recommends: Mixed PR and first-past-the-post
systems. An interim report by the Committee on Electoral Reforms and
endorsed by the major parties proposes using some full representation in Sri
Lanka. January 24, 2004.
Daily Mirror: President
and Premier reach agreement. The President and Prime Minister of Sri
Lanka recently came to an agreement concerning electoral reform for the nation.
Changes will include full representation in parliamentary elections, to be used
in conjunction with the first-past-the-post method. January 22, 2004.
Sri Lanka Daily News: Peace
beneficial, says majority. A recent survey by the Centre for Policy
Alternatives indicates that a majority of Sri Lankans would support proportional
representation based on ethnicity as a way to achieve peace in the nation.
January 7, 2004.
Sri Lanka Daily News: PM
initiates dialogue with party leaders : Sub-Committee for Electoral Reforms
. A parliamentary committee is formed in Sri Lanka to look at possibilities for
electoral system reform. Sri Lanka currently uses party list full
representation. The committee will deliberate whether to retain the party list
system, to return to plurality, or to introduce a mixed system. January 30,
2003.
Taiwan
For more information on Taiwanese politics and elections visit Electionworld.org:Taiwan
and Wikipedia:Taiwan.
Taiwan News: How
minor parties hope to overcome odds and win big. Poor tactical
decisions by the major parties in Taiwan's winner-take-all districts will split
the vote and may boost minor party representation. Proportional seats will
likely benefit the two major parties. December 14, 2004.
China Post: Taiwan
to elect new legislative Yuan A good account of Taiwan's election rules, in
view of the upcoming election. December 11, 2004.
Taiwan News: Opposition
wary as Chen implies desire to quash legislature reform. Parliament
members fear a planned return to single-member districts in imminent re-writing
of constitution. June 2, 2004.
Tanzania
The East African: Tanzania
aims for 100 women MPs by 2005. Tanzanian National Assembly introduces
full representation system that would boost women's participation in parliament.
May 18, 2004.
IPP Media: Bunge
for proportional representation Tanzanian National Assembly speaker
calls for all political parties to be represented in the parliament. May 11,
2004.
Uganda
Try these links for background information on
Ugandan politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Uganda, Wikipedia:
Uganda, Psephos:
Uganda
AllAfrica.com: Must
the Winner Always Take All? This column describes feelings of
disenfranchisment that lead to low voter turnout as a result of the
winner-take-all system. The author touts full representation as a way to ensure
representation of the multiple parties emerging in Uganda's political sphere.
February 4, 2004.
Ukraine
Try these links for background information on
Ukrainian politics and elections: Wikipedia:
Ukraine, Electionworld.org:
Ukraine
The Russia Journal: Ukraine
to amend its Constitution. The Ukrainian parliament passed a bill
that would initiate amendments to the constitution. Highlights of the bill
include moving to indirect election of the president and adopting full
representation in parliamentary elections. December 24, 2003.
UK
(England and general UK)
The Electoral
Reform Society is the leading organization working toward electoral
reform in the UK. Also try these links for background information on politics
and elections in the UK: Electionworld.org:
United Kingdom, Wikipedia:
United Kingdom
Der Spiegel: The
German Greens hit 25: a tale of two parties A comparison between the UK and
German Green parties, and how full representation makes the German party more
viable than the British one. January 13, 2005.
The New Statesman: Why
women hate politics The Labour government has failed to implement
reforms, including a move to full representation, which would make Parliament
more accommodating to women. December 13, 2004.
The Scotsman: Conservatives
Lose Their Place in the Sun. The introduction of PR in Scotland
and potentially the rest of the UK will change the political landscape.
June 14, 2004.
EPolitics.com: UK
Elections: Gains for Smaller Parties. Peter Facey examines the
impact of smaller parties on the recent local, London and European elections.
June 24, 2004.
The Guardian: Narrow
Victory for Mayor Who Returned to the Fold: Ken Livingstone Gains Second
Term Despite Iraq War Backlashes. The use of an IRV election
system in London enabled incumbent Ken Livingstone to win a second term through
second preference votes. June 12, 2004.
The Telegraph: Why
the rapid rise of UKIP will spread alarm among the big three.
Commentary argues the new Independence Party will garner many seats in upcoming
EU election. May 25, 2004.
The Scotsman: Nightmare
challenge for voters. Commentary points out that supplementary vote
and mixed electoral systems are quite simple for voters, despite more complex
counting schemes. May 25, 2004.
Hucknall Today: Euro
vote to be done by post. The June EU elections will use a list-PR
system to allow multiple parties to compete. May 25, 2004
The BBC: Hain
backs voting reform. House of Commons leader Peter Hain argues that
current first-past-the-post system ignores significant portions of electorate.
epolitix.com: Hain
backs alternative vote for Commons. Welsh Secretary and House of
Commons Leader Peter Hain vows to support Instant Runoff Voting for
single-member parliamentary districts. February 29, 2004.
Scunthorpe Telegraph: What
the proposals involve. This article discusses proposed plans for
regional parliaments in the UK and explains what would happen with and without
these models in place. January 20, 2004.
This Is Local London: Mayoral
election vote system prompts fears of confusion. A new website has
been developed to offer information about London's full representation system to
voters, journalists and electoral officers. October 15, 2003.
The Guardian:
Away
with these tribes. An interesting and
intelligent editorial in favor of full representation (proportional
representation) in Britain. The
author argues that retaining the plurality (first-past-the-post) system is the
only thing that will allow a minority-supported, majority-opposed Conservative
government to come to power in the future. August 1, 2003.
The Herald : English
regions can vote to copy Scotland: Assemblies plan will be decided by
referendums. Referendums will be held in three areas of northern
England to decide whether to create new local assemblies to take over powers
from the central governments. If created, the new assemblies will use full
representation. June 17, 2003.
The Guardian: Regional
government around the world . English author compares the local
governments of Canada, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy,
the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. June 16, 2003.
The Guardian : Now
the House of Lords will remain a laughing stock: any chance of reform has gone
thanks to Blair���s moment of madness . Editorial bemoaning the
narrow failure of a measure in the British House of Commons, which would have
changed the House of Lords into a directly elected body. The author advocates
full representation. February 5, 2003.
The Guardian : PR
on the backburner: It���s a big idea whose time has not yet come .
The author sympathizes with British Liberal Democrat leader���s decision to
focus on other policy agendas besides full representation. January 28, 2003.
The Guardian: Voting
change would be fitting legacy, say campaigners. The director of Make
Votes Count, a British full representation group, laments the death
of full representation advocate Lord Jenkins, and discusses the possibilities
for full representation in Britain in 2003. January 6, 2003.
UK
(Northern Ireland)
Try these links for background
information on Northern Irish politics and elections: Electionworld.org:
Northern Ireland, Wikipedia.org:
Northern Ireland, and Ace
Project.
New Zealand Herald: Hard-liners
victorious in Northern Ireland. Describes the results of the Northern
Ireland Assembly elections. November 29, 2003.
See also Northern
Ireland Elections web page.
BBC News: NI
- Making sense of the maths. Explanation of the electoral system in
Northern Ireland. November 27, 2003.
Guardian Unlimited: Q&A:
the Northern Ireland elections. Nick McDermott explains the unique
voting system which will be used in the Stormont assembly and executive
elections. November 21, 2003.
UK
(Scotland)
Try this link for background information
on Scottish politics and elections: Wikipedia.org:
Scotland, Psephos:
Scotland
Try this link to learn more about proportional
voting in Scotland: Fairshare,
Scotland's Campaign for Local Democracy
View our new page on Scotland's
electoral reforms.
icDumfries: Redefining
the Boundaries Report on the work of the Boundary Commission as it draws new
districts for the up-coming council elections using choice voting. January 14,
2005
The Glasgow Evening Times: Shake-up
of council elections revealed. A short account of the plan to use
choice voting for council elections in Glasgow. November 9, 2004.
The Scotsman: Birth
of a Grassroots Transformation. An analysis of how the adoption
of choice voting in Scotland will impact the political landscape. June 26,
2004.
The Scotsman: PR
Voting Will Loosen Labour Hold on Local Authorities Scotland's
decision to adopt choice voting by an overwhelming majority may alter the
political balance within the Parliament. June 24, 2004.
The Glasgow Evening Times: Go-Ahead
for new Election System. Brian Currie discusses Scotland's likelihood
to adopt a proportional representation system. June 23, 2004.
The Herald: Voters
Support Election Reforms. In a survey by Fairshare, ordinary
electors were found to support a change to a electoral system of single
transferable vote. June 22, 2004.
The Scotsman: How
we Scots vote should be up to us. Margo MacDonald argues that the
Scottish parliament (rather than Westminster) should decide on what the voting
system should be. The piece also gives an overview of where the different
parties stand on the issue of electoral reform. February 11, 2004.
The Herald: Darling
speeds up electoral reform plan. A commission is to be established to
consider constituency boundaries for Scottish parliament and the potential
impact of four different electoral models on civic life in Scotland. February 9,
2004.
The Scotsman: Boundary
changes 'will stifle Scottish democracy'. The Labour and Tory parties
are being criticized for supporting proposals to decrease the number of members
of parliament elected using the list system. Opponents claim that in backing
this plan, they are attempting to take power away from the smaller parties.
February 4, 2004.
The Scotsman on Sunday: McConnell
urged to change rules for PR voting. Opposition parties are urging
First Minister Jack McConnell to make the planned full representation system
fairer by allowing some constituencies to have five representatives and others
to have just two. February 1, 2004.
The Scotsman: Executive
Advised to Make PR Vote Plans Fairer. Political parties are
negotiating a full representation bill in Parliament. The STV working group has
suggested that wards be represented by up to five ministers, which is supported
by the Liberal Democrats but opposed by larger parties such as Labour, which
favors three to four ministers per ward. January 28, 2004.
The Scotsman: Electoral
System Change 'Could Stop Extremist Parties'. Ken Ritchie of the
Electoral Reform Society comments on the likely effects of full representation
on the power of certain political parties in Scotland. January 20, 2004. See
more details
on the ERS website.
The Herald: Labour
MPs in talks on Holyrood poll plans. In a special meeting being held
to discuss the voting system for parliament, former Scotland Office minister
George Foulkes will advocate full representation in all constituencies. January
13, 2004
The Herald: Foulkes
wants bigger role for PR at Holyrood. Former deputy secretary of
state George Foulkes proposes reforming the system for electing MSPs by
switching entirely to full representation. January 7, 2004.
Sunday Herald: McConnell:
50% of councilors must be women. In addition to changing to choice
voting for local council elections in Scotland, First Minister Jack McConnell
and other Scottish Labor Party leaders intend to reserve nearly half of the
council seats for women. Most local councilors in the Scottish Labour party are
male. However, a 28-22 majority of the Members of the Scottish Parliament from
the Scottish Labour party are female. This is because the Scottish Parliament
already has a rule about dividing nominations for equally winnable seats between
men and women. June 1, 2003.
The Herald : Marwick
on attack after PR bill defeated . In Scotland, both the Conservative
Party and the Labor party have prepared bills for using choice voting in
Scottish local elections. However, the Conservative bill was ready for vote in
February, but the Labor bill will not be ready until after the elections in May.
Although the Liberal Democrats are core supporters of choice voting, they voted
against the February bill, drawing heavy criticism from the National party.
February 7, 2003.
BBC News : Council
vote changes outlined: The bill would change how councillors are elected
. The Scottish Executive has published a draft bill that would change the method
of electing local government from plurality to choice voting. However, the
Scottish National Party, who are in favor of using STV, are critical of the fact
that the draft bill is being published too late to be considered before the next
elections. February 4, 2003.
A draft copy of the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill is
available
in PDF . If passed, the bill will establish choice voting for
Scottish local elections, effective in time for the next round of elections.
UK
(Wales)
Try these links for background on Welsh politics: National
Assembly for Wales website , Wikipedia.org:
Wales, Psephos:
Wales
The Western Mail: A
nervous new year for Rhodri. Under full representation rules, a
coalition of opposition parties could oust Labour, and result in a Plaid Cymru
First Minister. January 3, 2005.
BBC News: More
Power for the Assembly Says Hain. A discussion of the current
desire of Welsh politicians to increase the devolution of power to the Welsh
Assembly, including full law-making powers in addition to a switch to a PR-STV
electoral system. August 4, 2004.
IC Wales: Launch
of Lobby for More Powers. A campaign group in Wales, Tomorrow's
Wales, is promoting a switch to choice voting to elect their Assembly
representatives. June 18, 2004.
IC North Wales: Let
Assembly make laws, says minister. Environment Minister Carwyn Jones
pushes for greater law-making powers for the Welsh Assembly. He also calls for
reforms, including increasing the number of representatives and doing away with
the current full representation model. January 26, 2004.
The Western Mail: Assembly
rejects poll changes . Although an independent commission created by
a past government recommended choice voting for Welsh council elections, the
current government has rejected the recommendation. July 17, 2003.
IC Wales : Hain
opposed to new Assembly powers . Peter Hain speaks against devolving
more power to the Welsh Assembly. Hain is also opposed to full representation,
which is used in Assembly elections. July 7, 2003.
The Guardian: Scargill
to stand in Welsh elections. Article discusses the candidacy of
Arthur Scargill for the Welsh assembly, which is elected by a form of mixed
member proportional representation (or ���additional member system,��� as it is
known in the UK). Arthur Scargill is running for the Socialist Labour party.
February 12, 2003.
The Western Mail : Ron
Davies warns Labour of Plaid Victory Former Welsh Secretary
states that the Labour party needs to present an inspiring platform in order to
retain control of the Welsh Assembly. February 10, 2003.
US
(Puerto Rico)
Try these links for background
information on Puerto Rican politics and elections: Elections
in Puerto Rico, Comisi��n
Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico, Electionworld.org:
Puerto Rico, Wikipedia:
Puerto Rico
Elections
to Puerto Rico's Legislative Assembly: A brief description of the
voting systems used to elect the two houses of Puerto Rico's Legislative
Assembly.
Full
Representation and Proportionality in Puerto Rico: Text and table
analyzing the results of the November 2000 Legislative Assembly election in
terms of votes and seats won by each party. Compares the proportionality of the
single non-transferable vote (SNTV) benches in the assembly to the single member
district plurality benches, and finds a dramatically higher disproportionality
in the plurality benches.
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