There were three major elections in our region over the last quarter, Malaysia, Nepal and Tonga.

Date:  20 May 2008

Malaysia went to the polls on March 8. This resulted in a shift in Malaysia’s political landscape. Opposition parties have won office in five of the country’s 13 states. The opposition parties gained more than 80 seats of the 222 seats in the national parliament, more than quadruple their returns in the 2004 elections. Nonetheless, the Barisan Nasional government of Prime Minister Abdullah will stay in office with a comfortable majority. Before the campaign, three senior Malaysian party staffers from government and opposition took part in our Course for Political Advisors from Asia and the Pacific in February 2008.

The Communist Party of Nepal led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal won the majority of seats in the election. IPDC Chair Mark Butler reports on the historical national elections in Nepal. As Australian Election Observation Group delegation leader, Butler reports that Nepalese voters were able to exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner.

Tonga went to the polls on 23 and 24 April. The first day of polling is reserved for the 33 noble families to vote for 9 members of Parliament. Tongan people voted for their nine representatives the next day. The legislative assembly comprises 16 members of Cabinet, nine elected representatives of the Nobles and nine elected representatives of the people. Elections for the Assembly are held every three years. Nauru’s government has been returned to office with an increased majority of 12-6 members, after President Marcus Stephen called a snap election on 26 April 2008. The victory broke a months long deadlock over supply. No women were elected.

Upcoming Elections

Look out for results of these upcoming elections in subsequent editions of the Quarterly Bulletin and as they occur on our website:

Mongolia (Parliamentary Elections - June 2008);

Cambodia (Parliamentary elections - 27 July 2008);

Vanuatu (Parliamentary and Presidential - 2 September 2008);

Azerbaijan (Presidential elections - 15 October 2008);

Palau (Presidential and Parliamentary - 4 November 2008).

We look forward to bringing you more information about our programs and campaigns and democracy in our region.