by Mushtaq Mojaddidi Agence France Presse KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — An Islamic State suicide bomber killed at least 57 people including women and children and wounded 119 outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday in the latest attack on election preparations. The assaults underscore growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll. […]
Tag: election
Suicide attack on Kabul voter registration center kills 31: ministry
by Mushtaq Mojaddidi © Agence France-Presse KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — A suicide bomber killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, the health ministry said, in the latest attack on election preparations. The assaults underscore growing concerns about security in the lead-up to legislative elections scheduled for October 20, which are seen as a test-run for next year’s presidential poll. “It […]
Malaysian PM announces dissolution of parliament for tough election
by Sam Reeves Agence France Presse KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Friday announced the dissolution of parliament for a general election that will pose one of the sternest-ever tests for his ruling coalition, due to a massive financial scandal and a challenge from former leader Mahathir Mohamad. After laying out the Barisan Nasional coalition’s recent achievements in a 25-minute speech on state television, Najib announced that parliament would be dissolved […]
Trump congratulates Egypt’s Sisi after dubious vote
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump congratulated Egyptian former general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on securing another four years as president, hailing the “strategic partnership” between the two countries Monday. The White House said Trump and the Egyptian president spoke by phone after the Egyptian won 97 percent of the vote against a man who was, until recently, his campaign manager. “President Trump congratulated President Al Sisi on his reelection,” the White House […]
Egyptians vote in second day of election
CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Polls opened in Egypt on Tuesday for the second day of a presidential election incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win easily against a little-known rival. Few voters could be seen at one polling station which opened at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) in Cairo. Authorities have been urging Egyptians to participate in the three-day vote, hoping for a high turnout despite what is seen as a foregone conclusion. Sisi’s sole […]
Putin will engage with West after record vote win
by Theo Merz Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Vladimir Putin on Monday said he would address disputes with the West after an election that saw him return to the Kremlin with a record vote share, as Moscow faces increasing isolation. International leaders were slow to congratulate the Russian president after a Sunday election that saw him take almost 77 percent of the vote, as monitors reported ballot stuffing and other alleged cases of […]
Putin wins Russia polls with 76.67% of vote: officials
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Vladimir Putin won a landslide victory in Russia’s presidential election, receiving 76.67 percent of the vote, the central election commission said on Monday. Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, recorded his best ever performance in Sunday’s polls, electoral officials said with 99.8 percent of ballots counted. © Agence France-Presse
Putin cruises to landslide election win
by Maria Antonova and Theo Merz Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Vladimir Putin cruised to victory in Russia’s presidential election on Sunday, giving him another six years in power as Moscow’s relations with the West plunge to new Cold War lows. Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, won more than 75 percent of the vote according to preliminary results, but the opposition cried foul. It reported ballot stuffing and other […]
US hits Russia with sanctions for election meddling
by Andrew Beatty © Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump’s administration levied sanctions against Russia’s top spy agencies and more than a dozen individuals Thursday for trying to influence the 2016 US presidential election and two separate cyberattacks. The announcement follows a lengthy delay, which had caused anger on Capitol Hill and raised questions about President Donald Trump’s willingness to confront Moscow. The measures target five entities and 19 individuals — including the […]
Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition ahead in Italy vote: exit polls
by Dario Thuburn Agence France Presse ROME Italy (AFP) — Media mogul Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition was set to win the most votes but could fall short of a majority in Italy’s election Sunday, with far-right and populist parties surging ahead, according to exit polls. Berlusconi’s grouping was expected to win between 31 and 41 percent of the vote, followed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement with 29-32 percent, according to an exit poll by […]
As Maldives crisis worsens, Nasheed returns to main stage
MALE, Maldives (AFP) — A decade after he swept to power in the Maldives’ first democratic elections, exiled opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed is again pushing for change — by force if necessary — as his island homeland spirals into crisis. Nasheed made history in 2008 when he defeated Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — then Asia’s longest-serving leader — after three decades of unchallenged rule. In the years that followed, the charismatic young president won international renown […]
Anti-gay marriage lawmaker ahead in Costa Rica vote for next president
by Marco Sibaja Agence France-Presse SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AFP) — A conservative, evangelical lawmaker who fiercely opposes gay marriage emerged as the frontrunner to become Costa Rica’s next president, according to partial results from a first round election Sunday. Fabricio Alvarado of the right-wing National Restoration Party received 26 percent of the vote, according to a count of over half the ballots, according to the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal. That placed him in the […]





