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Mon, Aug 20, 2012
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El Referéndum de Enmiendas a la Constitución de Puerto Rico de 2012 (actualizado)
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(This posting is also available in English.)
 Los electores puertorriqueños acudirán a las urnas el próximo domingo, 19 de agosto de 2012, para votar en un referéndum de enmiendas constitucionales, sobre el número de miembros de la Asamblea Legislativa y el derecho a la fianza.
La enmienda constitucional sobre el número de miembros de la Asamblea Legislativa propone una reducción del número de senadores de 27 a 17, y el de representantes de 51 a 39, a partir de 2016. El n;mero de escaños por acumulación en cada cámara se reduciría de once a seis. Asimismo, el tope de la representación de los partidos de minoría se reduciría de nueve a seis escaños en el Senado, y de 17 a 13 escaños en la Cámara de Representantes.
Aunque la enmienda propuesta retendría en su esencia el actual sistema electoral de la Asamblea Legislativa de Puerto Rico, la reducción de los escaños legislativos por acumulación casi duplicaría el número de votos necesario para conseguir uno de los referidos mandatos en uno u otro cuerpo legislativo.
Entre tanto, bajo la enmienda constitucional sobre el derecho a la fianza, todo acusado tendría derecho a quedar en libertad bajo fianza antes de mediar un fallo condenatorio excepto: los acusados de asesinato cometido con premeditación, deliberación o acecho; los acusados de asesinato cometido en medio de un robo en el hogar; los acusados de asesinato cometido en el curso de una agresión sexual o secuestro; los acusados de asesinato cometido al disparar un arma de fuego desde un vehículo de motor o en un lugar abierto al público, poniendo en riesgo la vida de más de una persona; o cuando la víctima del asesinato sea un agente del orden público que se encuentre en el cumplimiento de su deber. En estos casos el juez tendría discreción para conceder o denegar la fianza, tras evaluar si el acusado representa riesgo de fuga, riesgo de destrucción de evidencia o riesgo para la seguridad de otras personas o la comunidad.
El electorado puertorriqueño ya había rechazado anteriormente limitar el derecho a la fianza, en un referéndum celebrado en 1994.
Las propuestas enmiendas constitucionales cuentan con el pleno respaldo del gubernamental Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP), mientras que los cuatro partidos menores de la Isla (así como diversas organizaciones cívicas y religiosas) se oponen a las mismas. Entre tanto, el principal partido de oposición, el Partido Popular Democrático (PPD), no ha tomado bandos oficialmente, dejando en libertad a sus miembros a que voten según su mejor parecer; algunos líderes del PPD están en contra de las enmiendas propuestas, pero otros las favorecen, destacándose entre los últimos el candidato a Gobernador del partido, el Senador Alejandro García Padilla - quien no obstante le había votado en contra a las leyes habilitadoras del referéndum en la Legislatura.
De acuerdo con una encuesta publicada por el rotativo capitalino El Nuevo Día, los electores respaldarán ambas enmiendas por amplios márgenes (76% a favor de la reducción del número de legisladores, y 59% a favor de limitar la fianza). No obstante, debe señalarse que en los últimos tres referéndums celebrados en Puerto Rico (en 1991, 1994 y 2005), los pronósticos de las encuestas se equivocaron por completo, y aunque es posible que en esta ocasión las cosas discurran de manera diferente, el precedente aconseja tomar las predicciones de este año con cierta cautela.
Actualización
El electorado puertorriqueño rechazó por amplio margen las propuestas enmiendas constitucionales de reforma legislativa y limitación del derecho a la fianza en el referéndum celebrado el domingo, 19 de agosto de 2012; Elecciones en Puerto Rico tiene resultados pormenorizados del referéndum aquí.
Nuevamente, el resultado del referéndum contradijo los pronósticos de las encuestas de opinión pública.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 08/20/2012 19:28 | permanent link |
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Puerto Rico 2012 Constitutional Amendments Referendum (updated)
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(Esta entrada está disponible también en español.)
Voters in Puerto Rico go to the polls next Sunday, August 19, 2012, to cast ballots in a constitutional amendments referendum, concerning the Legislative Assembly's number of members and the right to bail.
The constitutional amendment on the Legislative Assembly's number of members proposes a reduction of the number of senators from 27 to 17, and the number of representatives from 51 to 39, starting in 2016. The number of Senate districts would be increased from eight to eleven, but each Senate district would elect one senator, instead of two. In addition, each Senate district would include three House of Representatives districts (instead of five), for a total of 33 House districts; each House district would continue to elect one representative. Moreover, the number of at-large seats in each House would be reduced from eleven to six. Likewise, the minority party representation cap would be reduced from nine to six seats in the Senate, and from 17 to 13 seats in the House of Representatives.
While the current Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly electoral system would be essentially retained under the proposed amendment, the reduction of legislative at-large seats would almost double the number of votes needed to secure one of the aforementioned mandates in either legislative body.
Meanwhile, under the constitutional amendment on the right to bail, every person accused of a crime would have the right to remain free on bail before being convicted except in the case of: people accused of murder with premeditation, deliberation or stalking; those accused of murder committed in the course of a home robbery; those accused of murder in the midst of a sexual assault or kidnapping; those accused of murder while firing a firearm from a motor vehicle or in a public open place, while endangering the lives of more than one person; or when the murder victim is an officer of the law in the line of duty. In these cases the judge would have the discretion to grant or deny the right to bail, after evaluating if the accused is at flight risk, at risk of destroying evidence or putting the safety of other people or the community at risk.
Puerto Rican voters had previously rejected limiting the right to bail, in a 1994 referendum.
The proposed constitutional amendments have the full backing of the ruling New Progressive Party (PNP), while the Island's four smaller parties (as well as diverse civic and religious organizations) are opposing them. Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), has not officially taken sides, leaving its members free to vote as they believe best. Some PPD leaders are against the proposed amendments, but others favor them, most notably among the latter the party's gubernatorial candidate, Senator Alejandro García-Padilla - who had nonetheless voted against the referendum enabling laws in the Legislature.
According to a poll published by San Juan newsdaily El Nuevo Día, voters will support both amendments by wide margins (76% in favor of reducing the number of legislators, and 59% in favor of limiting bail). Nevertheless, it must be pointed out that in the last three referendums held in Puerto Rico (in 1991, 1994 and 2005), poll forecasts proved to be completely wrong, and while it's possible that things may be different this time around, the precedent suggests that this year's predictions should be taken with some caution.
Update
Puerto Rican voters rejected by a wide margin the proposed constitutional amendments on legislative reform and limiting the right to bail in the referendum held on Sunday, August 19, 2012; Elections in Puerto Rico has detailed referendum results here.
Once more, the referendum outcome contradicted opinion poll forecasts.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 08/20/2012 19:28 | permanent link |
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Sun, May 06, 2012
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Belgian television defying French presidential election reporting rules (updated)
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 Belgian French-language public broadcaster RTBF is once again reporting on the outcome of today's presidential election in neighboring France - in open defiance of the latter country's election reporting rules, which expressly forbid such activities until 8:00 PM CEST (2:00 PM EDT).
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 05/06/2012 12:37 | permanent link |
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Wed, Mar 21, 2012
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Certificado el MUS de Puerto Rico como partido inscrito
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(This posting is also available in English.)
La Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico certificó en el día de ayer al Movimiento Unión Soberanista (MUS) como partido inscrito por petición para las elecciones generales que se celebrarán en en la Isla el próximo 6 de noviembre.
Históricamente, la política en Puerto Rico ha girado en torno al asunto del status - la relación política de la Isla con los Estados Unidos. Desde 1968, dos partidos principales se han alternado en el poder: el Partido Popular Democrático (PPD), que ha procurado la retención del status actual de Estado Libre Asociado de los E.E.U.U., y el Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP), que desea convertir a la Isla en el estado No. 51 de la nación americana. Una minoría reducida - entre un dos y un cinco porciento de los votantes - apoya al Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), que aboga por la independencia de Puerto Rico de los E.E.U.U.
Puerto Rico también contó con cuatro partidos a nivel Isla para las elecciones de 2008, cuando Puertorriqueños por Puerto Rico (PPR), de orientación ambientalista, logró inscribirse. Sin embargo, en dichas elecciones tanto el PPR como el PIP perdieron su condición de partido por petición, dado que ni uno ni el otro cumplió con los requisitos establecidos por ley en aquel momento para quedar inscrito, a saber por lo menos un siete por ciento del total de votos depositados para todas las insignias de partidos; o por lo menos tres por ciento del total de papeletas íntegras depositadas para todos los partidos en la papeleta para Gobernador y Comisionado Residente; o al menos cinco por ciento del total de votos depositados para todos los candidatos a Gobernador.
No obstante, el PIP se reinscribió como partido por petición a principios de 2009, y el PPR pudiera también reinscribirse como partido por petición, toda vez que ha recogido 48,000 de las aproximadamente 58,000 peticiones actualmente requeridas por ley para inscribirse. Por otra parte, el nuevo Partido del Pueblo Trabajador (PPT) ha radicado 30,000 endosos. De convertirse el PPR y el PPT en partidos inscritos, habría por primera vez desde 1972 seis partidos en la papeleta electoral puertorriqueña.
Elecciones en Puerto Rico tiene mayor información sobre los procesos electorales de la Isla, y resultados de elecciones a partir de 1920.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 03/21/2012 14:47 | permanent link |
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Puerto Rico's MUS certified as a registered party
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(Esta entrada está disponible también en español.)
The Commonwealth Elections Commission of Puerto Rico certified yesterday the Sovereigntist Union Movement (MUS) as a registered party by petition for the Island's upcoming November 6 general election.
Historically, Puerto Rican politics have revolved around the status issue - the question of the island's relationship with the United States. Since 1968, two major parties have alternated in power: the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), which has sought retention of the existing U.S. Commonwealth status, and the New Progresive Party (PNP), which wants to turn the island into America's 51st state. A small minority - around two to five percent of voters - backs the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), which advocates Puerto Rico's independence from the U.S.
Puerto Rico also had four islandwide parties for the 2008 general election, when the environmentalist-oriented Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico (PPR) secured its registration. However, both PPR and PIP lost their party by petition status in the election, as neither fulfilled the requirements set forth by law at the time to remain registered, namely at least seven percent of the total number of votes cast for all the party insignias; or at least three percent of the total number of straight ballots cast for all the parties; or at least five percent of the total number of votes cast for all the candidates for Governor.
Nevertheless, PIP re-registered as a party by petition in early 2009, and PPR may also re-register as a party by petition, as it has collected 48,000 of the approximately 58,000 petitions currently required by law for registration. On the other hand, the new Working People's Party (PPT) has filed 30,000 endorsements. Should PPR and PPT become registered parties, there would be six parties on the Puerto Rican election ballot for the first time since 1972.
Elections in Puerto Rico has more information on the island's electoral processes, and election results since 1920.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 03/21/2012 14:40 | permanent link |
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Mon, Mar 19, 2012
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France 2012 presidential election official list of candidates
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The Constitutional Council of France announced today the official list of candidates for the April 22, 2012 presidential election, which stands as follows:
- Madame Eva JOLY,
- Madame Marine LE PEN,
- Monsieur Nicolas SARKOZY,
- Monsieur Jean-Luc MÉLENCHON,
- Monsieur Philippe POUTOU,
- Madame Nathalie ARTHAUD,
- Monsieur Jacques CHEMINADE,
- Monsieur François BAYROU,
- Monsieur Nicolas DUPONT-AIGNAN,
- Monsieur François HOLLANDE.
The full text of the Council's decision is available in French here.
French newsdaily Le Monde has profiles of the ten presidential candidates.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 03/19/2012 23:28 | permanent link |
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Tue, Sep 27, 2011
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Spain's government calls an early general election
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(Esta entrada está disponible también en español.)
 The government of outgoing Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero approved yesterday the decree to dissolve the Cortes - Spain's bicameral legislature - and hold an early general election on Sunday, November 20, 2011.
Elections to the Spanish Congress of Deputies has detailed information about Spain's electoral system, and the Official State Gazette (BOE) has the full (Spanish-language) text of Royal Decree 1329/2011, of September 26, of dissolution of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate and call to elections.
Concerning the redistribution of Congress of Deputies seats, only Madrid will have an extra seat in the lower house of the Spanish Cortes, at the expense of Cádiz, which will lose one. Had the 2008 general election taken place under the new distribution of Congress seats, the opposition People's Party (PP) would have had one seat fewer in Cádiz, but would have won the newly-added seat in Madrid. Otherwise, the ten parties represented in Congress would have obtained the same number of seats they won in the last election.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 09/27/2011 16:04 | permanent link |
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Gobierno de España convoca a elecciones generales adelantadas
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(This posting is also available in English.)
El gobierno del presidente (primer ministro) español saliente José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero aprobó en el día de ayer el decreto para disolver las Cortes - la legislatura bicameral de España - y celebrar elecciones generales adelantadas el domingo, 20 de noviembre de 2011.
Elecciones al Congreso de los Diputados de España tiene información detallada sobre el sistema electoral español, y el Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) tiene el texto completo del Real Decreto 1329/2011, de 26 de septiembre, de disolución del Congreso de los Diputados y del Senado y de convocatoria de elecciones.
En lo tocante a la redistribución de escaños en el Congreso de los Diputados, solamente Madrid contará con un escaño adicional en la cámara baja de las Cortes Españolas, a expensas de Cádiz, que perderá uno. Si las elecciones generales de 2008 se hubiesen llevado a cabo bajo la nueva distribución de escaños en el Congreso, el opositor Partido Popular (PP) hubiera contado con un escaño menos en Cádiz, pero hubiera conseguido el recien añadido escaño de Madrid. Por lo demás, los diez partidos representados en el Congreso hubieran obtenido el mismo número de escaños que ganaron en las pasadas elecciones.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 09/27/2011 16:04 | permanent link |
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Wed, Apr 20, 2011
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Finland 2011 Parliamentary Election Results Update
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 Updated national- and constituency-level results of last Sunday's parliamentary election in Finland, published today on the Ministry of Justice's elections website, are now available in Elections to the Finnish Eduskunta (Parliament). The updated results also have electorate totals published by Statistics Finland, which include Finnish citizens residing abroad.
The inclusion of Finnish expatriate voters lowers the 2011 election voter turnout rate from 70.5% to 67.4%.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 04/20/2011 19:52 | permanent link |
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Sun, Feb 07, 2010
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Costa Rica 2010 general election results link
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(Esta entrada está disponible también en español.)
 The nacion.com website has live results in Spanish of today's general election in Costa Rica.
General Elections in Costa Rica now includes a description of the Central American country's electoral system, as well as results of presidential and legislative elections held between 1953 and 2006.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 02/07/2010 23:48 | permanent link |
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Enlace a resultados de elecciones generales de 2010 en Costa Rica
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(This posting is also available in English.)
La web de nacion.com tiene resultados en vivo de las elecciones generales celebradas hoy en Costa Rica.
Elecciones Generales en Costa Rica incluye ahora una descripción del sistema electoral del país centroamericano, así como los resultados de las elecciones presidenciales y legislativas celebradas entre 1953 y 2006.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 02/07/2010 23:48 | permanent link |
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Sat, Feb 06, 2010
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Czech Republic's general election set for next May 28-29
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 Czech President Václav Klaus announced yesterday that elections to the Chamber of Deputies - the lower house of the Central European country's bicameral Parliament - will be held next May 28 and 29.
In March of last year, the Czech Republic's center-right coalition government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek collapsed after losing a parliamentary vote of confidence, and the country was to hold an early legislative election the following October. In the meantime, President Klaus appointed an interim government headed by Jan Fischer, the non-party chairman of the Czech Statistical Office.
I wrote a piece for Global Economy Matters about the cabinet crisis, titled Topolánek's toppling leads to early Czech election, but as it was the early vote never materialized: last September, the Constitutional Court struck down the law which reduced the length of the Chamber's term. Both houses of Parliament then passed a constitutional amendment to allow an early election to be held the following November, but the dissolution vote failed after the main opposition party, the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) had a change of heart and decided to oppose it, along with the Communists and the Greens.
Parliamentary Elections in the Czech Republic - Elections to the Chamber of Deputies has an overview of the Czech electoral system, as well as lower house election results since 1996.
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posted by Manuel Álvarez-Rivera : 02/06/2010 21:11 | permanent link |
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