Ahead of the presidential run-off, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has assisted national electoral authorities in getting materials out to remote areas in the north. The UN spokesperson in New York, Farhan Haq, said that MINUSMA is “deploying sensitive materials to Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal and Mopti for the second round of presidential elections.”

As it did in the first round of voting on 28 July, the peacekeeping mission will also support the Malian Defence and Security Forces in implementing the security plan for the elections.

Haq said MINUSMA also organized a flight to Néma, Mauritania, to ensure that Malian refugees living in camps there could obtain a voter card. The move is part of UN efforts to increase the number of refugees who are able to vote, he noted.

The first round of the elections was seen as an important step on the path to recovery for Mali, which, since early 2012, witnessed a military coup d’état, renewed fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical Islamists.

In a statement ahead of the July ballot, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had noted the importance of the election for the restoration of constitutional order and national dialogue and reconciliation in the country.

He had also cited the need to ensure that any post-election disputes are resolved through peaceful and legal means.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania host some 175,000 Malian refugees who fled the recent conflict there. Refugees eligible to vote in exile are people already registered in the Malian Administrative Civil Status Census, conducted in 2010.

“UNHCR is supporting the participation of refugees in these elections, although our role is limited to a strictly humanitarian and non-political one,” UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva. “We are providing refugees with practical information on their right to participate in the elections and we are also providing some transportation.”

In Burkina Faso, UNHCR has launched awareness campaigns in all refugee camps as well as spontaneous refugee sites, and in urban settings with concentrations of refugees.

“We are letting people know that personal information and data held by UNHCR is not being shared with the Malian Government, and advising on steps to take should people come under pressure from any person or party involved in the election,” Mr. Edwards said.

Of almost 50,000 refugees in Burkina Faso, more than 18,400 are of voting age, and over the past four days, 10 teams deployed by the Malian Embassy and supported by UNHCR have started registering refugees to vote. The process is monitored by Burkina Faso’s national refugee commission.

Mr. Edwards said registration numbers have picked up in the past few days, and added that the names of registered voters will be sent to authorities in the Bamako, the Malian capital, so that electoral cards can be sent to Burkina Faso and distributed to refugees.

Similar arrangements are in place in Niger and Mauritania, which host some 50,000 and 75,000 refugees, respectively.

UNHCR previously facilitated out-of-country voting by refugees in South Sudan in 2011, in Iraq in 2010 and in Afghanistan in 2004.

Iran’s ban on female presidential candidates contradicts several articles of the country’s Constitution as well as international law and should be removed, Amnesty International said.

Mohammad Yazdi, a clerical member of Iran’s Council of Guardians, a constitutional body responsible for ensuring that legislation adheres to Iran’s Constitution, as interpreted by Iran’s religious scholars and Islamic law, and for vetting presidential candidates has announced that Iranian laws “do not allow women to become presidents”.

Thirty women have registered to stand as candidates for the forthcoming presidential election on 14 June 2013. Women were previously prevented from standing in presidential elections, but there was a chance that the Council could have overturned that situation this time.

The ban on women to run for presidency contradicts a number of articles of Iran’s Constitution, which say there should be equality for all citizens before the law and require respect for the rights of women, according to Amnesty.

The recent statement by a member of the Council also contradicts a previous statement made by Dr Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, the Spokesman of the Council of Guardians, in 2009 when he said that there was “no legal restraint” on women standing for presidential elections, Amnesty added.

“It is beyond belief that women are still being banned from trying to become presidents anywhere in the world,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“Iran should take a closer look at its own Constitution and the international treaties it has committed itself to uphold and ensure no one is prevented from taking part in the upcoming presidential election because of their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or politically held beliefs.”

Despite discrimination against women in law and in practice, Iranian women have reached high level of education and play prominent roles in the society yet they remain almost completely absent from decision-making positions, Amnesty says.

No woman has ever held a position in the Council of Guardians and the Expediency Council, a non-legislative body that resolves disputes between Iran’s parliament and the Council of Guardians.

The election is scheduled for 14 June 2013, with the approved list of candidates announced on Tuesday.

“This is the first ever transition from one civilian Government to another and a significant step forward for democracy in the country,” the Secretary-General said of the 11 May elections, in a statement issued by his Spokesman.

“By exercising their constitutional right to vote, the people of Pakistan have reaffirmed their desire for and commitment to a democratic Pakistan and their respect for the constitution of the country,” Secretary-General Ban said.

Pleased to note the significant turnout for the elections, especially the youth and first time voters, “who came out in millions to take part,” the UN chief also noted the increase in the participation of women, but regretted that in some parts of the country, they were deterred from voting.

“The Secretary-General applauds the courage and determination of political parties and election workers to engage in the electoral process despite the challenging security situation ahead of the voting,” the statement said.

Mr. Ban also commended the Electoral Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for successfully organizing the polls, and reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support and assist the ECP.

With more than 86 million people reportedly registered to vote, Pakistanis were set to select from among 5,000 candidates for the National Assembly and nearly 11,700 vying for the Provincial Assembly.

A statement issued by Mr. Ban’s Spokesman on 9 May noted the Secretary-General’s “concern” about the series of attacks in the run-up to the polls targeting politicians, political rallies, and election offices.

More than 100 people were reportedly been killed during that cycle of political violence, according to media reports. The UN chief conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims.

He also acknowledged the efforts being made by the Government of Pakistan “to ensure the safety and security of candidates, party workers, election officials, observers and voters on the day of the elections,” that statement noted.

CPJ’s census of journalists imprisoned on April 15 also highlights the severe deterioration of freedom of expression in Iran over time. In December 2004, during the last full year of President Mohammad Khatami’s tenure, CPJ documented just one journalist in prison during its annual worldwide prison census. By December 2009, after a contested presidential election returned Mahmoud Ahmedinejad to office, the number had grown to 23 in CPJ’s annual census. CPJ surveys since that time have consistently shown 35 to 50 journalists in prison in Iran at any given time.

Only Turkey, with 48 in jail, was detaining more journalists on April 15, CPJ research shows.

As devastating as the imprisonments are to the individual journalists and their families, the Iranian government’s tactics have had an intimidating effect on the press, choking off the flow of information. This census and CPJ’s past surveys are simply snapshots in time—they do not include the large numbers of journalists convicted of crimes or facing charges who are temporarily free on bail or furlough. Iran has pursued a revolving-door policy in imprisoning journalists, freeing some detainees on short-term furloughs even as they make new arrests. The pattern of rotating critical journalists in and out of prison has sown fear and self-censorship across the entire press corps, according to CPJ research. At least 68 Iranian journalists fled into exile between 2007 and 2012 due to harassment and the threat of imprisonment, according to CPJ research. Only Somali journalists have gone into exile in higher numbers during that period.

The Iranian government has used several other tactics to intimidate journalists. Authorities have blocked millions of websites, banned reformist publications, and conducted widespread electronic surveillance in an effort to make a wide range of topics off-limits to public debate. “Many of the topics we could cover five years ago, like cultural issues, we couldn’t do anymore,” Omid Memarian, an exiled Iranian journalist, told CPJ. “Journalists were even prevented from covering the earthquake relief efforts that happened in Iran last year.”

In 2013, as the Iranian government began a new wave of detentions aimed at silencing journalists ahead of the elections, Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi announced that 600 Iranian journalists were part of an anti-state network. He said the arrests were an attempt to “prevent the emergence of sedition prior to the elections.”

43% of respondents believe that SYRIZA would be the winner if elections were imminent, as against 38.4% who believe the same thing for ND. 46.6% say Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is best for the job, while 31.8% say Alexis Tsipras could do it better.

In terms of the popularity of political leaders, Antonis Samaras leads with 42.3%, followed by Fotis Kouvelis (42.1%), Alexis Tsipras (37.3%), Panos Kammenos (29.4 %), Aleka Papariga (26.3%), Evangelos Venizelos (19.5%) and Nikos Michaloliakos (16.6%).

Previous weekend, a survey by company Metrisi for Parapolitika newspaper presents SYRIZA leading in terms of voting intention with a narrow 0.4 percentage points.

A survey of Pulse RC for 6-Days weekly, suggests SYRIZA gathers 20% as against 19.5% of ND. Golden Dawn comes third with 12%, followed by PASOK 7%, Communist Party and Independent Greeks both 5% respectively and DIMAR 3.5%. 5.5% of respondents say they would vote for “another party”, while obscure vote reaches 10%. Neutral vote and abstinence reach 12.5%.

“Today’s special voting marks the beginning of the voting process,” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler said in a news release.

The country’s electoral body, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), demonstrated “a high level of professionalism in this first election organized under full Iraqi ownership,” Mr. Kobler stressed.

“Now that Iraqi security forces, police and military have exercised their right to cast their ballot, all eyes are focused on the election day on 20 April,” the UN Envoy noted. He urged the security forces to ensure a free and secure environment for the elections.

At least 15.5 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in the 20 April polls, according to official estimates, where more than 8,000 candidates are reportedly vying for 378 seats on provincial councils.

Provincial councils are responsible for nominating governors who take charge of the provinces’ administration, finances and reconstruction projects.

“It is of the utmost importance that voters turn out in an orderly and safe environment free of violence, threats and intimidation,” Mr. Kobler concluded.

Next week’s elections are the first Iraq has held since parliamentary elections in 2010.

Legislative and elections were due to take place in January 2012 at the latest, but in spite of an agreement signed in December between the executive and legislative branches to form an electoral commission, there have been no new developments.

“In the absence of these elections, over the past year we have seen the replacement of some 130 elected municipal governments with Presidential appointees,” said the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Nigel Fisher.

At the legislative level, the mandate of one-third of Haiti’s senators expired in May 2012 and more terms will end in early 2014, impairing the Senate’s functions, Fisher warned.

“Holding credible elections in 2013 is fundamental to reinforce Haiti’s democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law and respond to the urgent needs of Haiti’s citizens such as employment and social protection.”

The Caribbean nation has been re-building since the earthquake that struck in early January 2010, killing some 220,000 people and making 1.5 million others homeless, in addition to causing widespread destruction – particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince – and a major humanitarian crisis.

Fisher added that, over the past year, Haiti has continued to face many challenges, including a slow economic growth rate that fell below forecasted levels, high unemployment rates, a recent spike in cholera cases, two tropical storms, and regional droughts that have exacerbated the high levels of food insecurity facing many households.

“Progress on elections has become the barometer for measuring progress towards a more inclusive political culture and for addressing institutional and development challenges, but Haiti faces many challenges beyond the electoral process alone,” Mr. Fisher said, adding that in spite of these obstacles, advances are still being made and the security situation remains stable overall.

Regarding the cholera epidemic, Fisher said the UN is committed to continue its support and to redouble efforts to mobilize the significant additional resources needed to fight this disease, improve water and sanitation, and strengthen the national health care network.

“I remain convinced that Haiti can and will make great progress in overcoming the political divisions, engaging in important and necessary reforms in the institutional and State law and responding to the urgent needs of its citizens,” he added.

“At times of great uncertainty, such as during an election, it is important that homes, communities, and schools continue to be havens of safety for children and that they have uninterrupted access to basic social services,” UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a press release.

“Children are not political and should be sheltered, in all countries, from political turbulence,” he stated.

Speaking at the end of a two-day visit to the southern African country, Lake wished Zimbabweans a peaceful election, saying it was everybody’s duty to ensure that children and women suffered no violence and disruption to their lives during the 16 March referendum and later general elections.

The referendum will decide a new constitution which, if adopted, will pave the way for elections after June when the current presidential and parliamentary terms expire.

Last month, independent UN experts urged Zimbabwean authorities to ensure that fundamental rights are respected in the run up to the referendum, following reports of civil society organizations being subjected to searches, harassment and intimidation by the police.

While in Zimbabwe, Lake met with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicholas Goche, and welcomed their assurances on the protection of children.

He also visited St. Joseph’s rural health clinic and St. Vincent Primary School which have received medicines and textbooks, respectively, through a donor-supported funding mechanism managed by UNICEF.

“He congratulates the people of Kenya for their impressive determination to participate peacefully in the elections, and for the patience they have demonstrated while awaiting the results,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

According to media reports, Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that Uhuru Kenyatta had narrowly avoided a run-off by winning 50.07 per cent of votes in a credible and transparent poll. Voter turnout in the 4 March election was reportedly the largest ever in the country, at 86 per cent.

Mr. Ban spoke by phone yesterday with Mr. Kenyatta and the other candidate, Raila Odinga.

“He reiterated his call for both leaders to send clear messages of calm to their supporters, and he reminded them of the commitments they have made throughout this process to channel any electoral grievances through the established legal avenues,” said Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

“He therefore welcomes the measured statements both have made since the announcement of results. Kenyans are depending at this time on wise and responsible leadership.”