Election Watch

Election Results: (December 2004–March 2005)

Central African Republic: Presidential and parliamentary elections were scheduled for March 13; results will be reported in a future issue.

Croatia: In a January 16 presidential runoff, incumbent Stjepan Mesić, who was backed by eight political parties, defeated Jadranka Kosor of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) by 66 to 34 percent. In the January 2 first round, Mesić had won 49 percent; Kosor, 20 percent; and independent candidate Boris Mikŝić, 18 percent. Turnout for both rounds was about 50 percent.

Ghana: In December 7 elections to the 230-seat National Assembly, 129 seats went to the New Patriotic Party of President John Agyekum Kufuor, while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) won 94 seats. The People's National Convention won 4 seats, and the Convention People's Party won 3. In a presidential contest held the same day, Kufuor was reelected with 53 percent of the vote; his main opponent, John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC, received 44 percent.

Iraq: In the first multiparty elections in half a century, held on January 30, the Shi'ite-dominated United Iraqi Alliance won 140 of the 275 seats in the National Assembly, followed by the Kurdistan Alliance, which won 75 seats. The Iraqi List, headed by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, received 40 seats. The remaining 20 seats were split among nine other parties. Despite threats of terrorist attacks, turnout exceeded 50 percent nationwide, but was significantly lower among Sunni Arabs. The International Mission for Iraqi Elections stated that the election "generally [met] recognized standards in terms of election law, planning, and preparations."

Kyrgyzstan: The first round of voting for the new 75-seat unicameral parliament was held on February 27. Preliminary results showed few oppositionists among the 30 or so candidates who scored first-round victories. Remaining seats will be filled in a second round, scheduled for March 13. Results will be reported in a future issue.

Maldives: Elections were held on January 22 to fill 42 of 50 seats in the People's Council (eight members are appointed by the president). As political parties are prohibited, all candidates run as independents, but approximately half of those elected are said to be loyal to the exiled opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. At the opening of the new parliament, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has been in power since 1978, promised to transform the country's political system into a multiparty democracy.

Micronesia: Parliamentary elections were held on March 8; results will be reported in a future issue.

Moldova: According to preliminary results of the March 6 elections to the 101-seat Parliament, the ruling Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, which in recent years has reoriented toward the West, garnered 46 percent of the vote and 55 seats. The Democratic Bloc of Moldova received 28 percent and 35 seats, and the Christian Democratic People's Party won 9 percent and 11 seats. No other party received enough votes to gain seats. International observers said that while the election broadly met international democratic standards, it also "fell short of some key commitments, particularly regarding campaign conditions and media access."

Mozambique: In parliamentary elections held December 1–2, the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) of President Joaquim Chissano won 62 percent and 160 of the 250 seats in the Assembly of the Republic. Thirty percent of the vote and the remaining 90 seats went to the opposition Mozambique National Resistance/Electoral Union (Renamo/UE). No other party surpassed the 5 percent threshold. In concurrent presidential balloting, Armando Guebuza of Frelimo was elected with 63.7 percent of the vote, while Afonso Dhlakama of Renamo/UE received 31.7 percent. International observers stated that, despite flaws in the electoral process, the validity of the overall election results is not in question. Turnout was exceptionally low at 36.3 percent.

Niger: In December 4 elections to the 113-seat National Assembly, President Mamadou Tandja's National Movement for a Developing Society–Victorywon 47 seats. The opposition Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism–Tarayya and its allies received 25 seats, and the Democratic and Social Convention–Rahama received 22 seats. Four other parties split...