Podcasts about electoral commission

Guest: Sy Mamabolo | Chief Electoral Officer at Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Africa Melane will speak to Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), as the commission reports strong voter registration momentum ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen.Thank you for listening to this podcast from Early Breakfast with Africa Melane For more about the show click https://buff.ly/XHry7eQ and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/XJ10LBUListen live on weekdays between 04:00 and 06:00 (SA Time) to the Early Breakfast with Africa Melane broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3NSubscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetcFollow us on social media:702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electoral Commission is gearing up for a nationwide voter registration drive this weekend, with more than 23,700 registration stations set to open across South Africa. Over 48,000 trained staff members have been deployed to assist voters who need to register or update their details ahead of the next local government elections. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo says the commission is ready to ensure a smooth, efficient and accessible process for all eligible voters. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Michael Hendrikse | WC Provincial Electoral Officer at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) With South Africa marking Youth Month, the IEC is urging young people to take part in the upcoming voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June ahead of the 4th of November local government elections. Wasanga Mehana speaks to Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrikse about boosting youth turnout, electoral readiness, and strengthening democratic participation. Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen.Thank you for listening to this podcast from Early Breakfast with Africa Melane For more about the show click https://buff.ly/XHry7eQ and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/XJ10LBUListen live on weekdays between 04:00 and 06:00 (SA Time) to the Early Breakfast with Africa Melane broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3NSubscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetcFollow us on social media:702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we sat down to get voters' verdicts on the prime minister in Makerfield, he suffered yet another massive headache – his Defence Secretary, John Healey, resigned. And a few hours later, two more resignations. How weak is Keir Starmer now? And is this a problem for the safety of the UK?Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Harriet Harman hear from locals voting next week - do they think Andy Burnham is destined for Number 10? What about the other parties' ambitions for the area, and what do they make of all the attention they've been getting lately?Plus – the ladies have an announcement - you'll have to listen through to the end to find out...For a full list of candidates standing in Makerfield, visit the Electoral Commission website.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.And if you want to hear more about Ed Conway's Stuff Matters podcast, go to podfollow.com/stuff- matters Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over.

Adelaide City Council elected member Arman Abrahimzadeh joined David & Will to discuss the possibility of council elections being delayed by at least six months by the Electoral Commission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Pure cold rage": Will Nigel Farage regret his intervention over the murder of Henry Nowak?Beth, Ruth and Harriet discuss whether Farage is pandering to the far right, or if he has a point about "two-tier policing" in Britain.And, as Nicola Sturgeon attempts to distance herself from her estranged husband Peter Murrell – Ruth asks if her legacy is now forever tarnished.Nicola Sturgeon has said she was “completely cleared and exonerated” by police and that she had been “misled” and “deceived” by Murrell.For a full list of candidates standing in Makerfield, visit the Electoral Commission website.We are happy to clarify that initiated Sikh women, like initiated Sikh men, are required to wear a kirpan as part of the religion. Whether a Sikh carries a kirpan depends on their initiation status and not on gender.And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth, and Harriet on YouTube.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

Beth has a punchy exclusive interview with Andy Burnham for this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction.Saying the quiet bit out loud, Beth asks if Burnham is using this as his path to Number 10 Downing Street or whether he would be loyal as an MP and serve in Keir Starmer's cabinet? You might want to watch on YouTube to see his response...She also asks how Burnham's ideas for the country are different to what we already have in government.Plus, what does the current Mayor of Greater Manchester think about Reform and Nigel Farage's chances in a future Mayoral race after the party did so well at the local elections there?And this race to be an MP isn't just about Andy Burnham – whilst Beth is in Makerfield, she's interviewing a number of other candidates too, but Reform and Restore UK's candidates weren't available.For a full list of candidates standing in Makerfield, visit the Electoral Commission website.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

Is the UK on its way to becoming ungovernable?And what does a £5m gift to Nigel Farage from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne tell us about scrutiny and transparency in British politics?Harriet Harman, Beth Rigby and Ruth Davidson discuss in a special live edition of the pod, recorded at the Hay Festival.Plus, Harriet offers advice to Green Party leader Zack Polanski on how to handle his council tax row - inspired by her own experience being chased by the paparazzi.For a full list of candidates standing in your area, visit the Electoral Commission website. Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

The Electoral Commission is pushing hard to ensure the country's youth shows up at polling stations on the 4th of November. On Wednesday (27/05) it unveiled several innovations in respect of its communications, geared at capturing the hearts and minds of South Africa's younger generation. Its Communication Campaign launch held in Midrand, Johannesburg, saw the announcement of a youth talk show programme, podcast and revamped call centre - to add to the online registration platform. The Electoral Management Body also used the event to urge society as a whole to defend the integrity of the country's electoral democracy. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to political analyst Yolokazi Mfuto

Reality show Married At First Sight UK on Channel 4 is facing serious allegations this week, so Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Harriet Harman discuss whether more should be done to make reality TV safer – and if MPs ought to get involved.Plus, with three by-elections coming up, has Andy Burnham's bid to return to Westminster thrown the constituency of Makerfield into chaos? And why might the North Sea oil reserves become a hot button issue for voters in Aberdeen South?For a full list of candidates standing in your area, visit the Electoral Commission website.Channel 4 was approached for comment.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth, and Harriet on YouTube.

The government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill to lower the voting age to 16, change how electoral rules are enforced and – potentially – introduce new restrictions on political donations. But embedding new processes for registering to vote, changing how electoral rules are enforced, and ensuring there is clear information for 16- and 17-year-olds will all take time – and affect the work of the Electoral Commission, local authorities, schools, civil society groups and others in the run-up to the next general election. So, what needs to happen after the Bill gets Royal Assent? How will the Bill change the remit of the Electoral Commission – and is the Commission prepared? What do local authorities need to do to get ready? What information will new voters need? And what needs to change culturally as well as administratively? To discuss all this and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel, including: Harriet Andrews, Director of The Politics Project John Pullinger, Chair of the Electoral Commission Prof. Alan Renwick, Director of the Constitution Unit at UCL Clare Sim, Head of Member Support at the Association of Electoral Administrators (joining remotely) The event was chaired by Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.

The government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill to lower the voting age to 16, change how electoral rules are enforced and – potentially – introduce new restrictions on political donations. But embedding new processes for registering to vote, changing how electoral rules are enforced, and ensuring there is clear information for 16- and 17-year-olds will all take time – and affect the work of the Electoral Commission, local authorities, schools, civil society groups and others in the run-up to the next general election. So, what needs to happen after the Bill gets Royal Assent? How will the Bill change the remit of the Electoral Commission – and is the Commission prepared? What do local authorities need to do to get ready? What information will new voters need? And what needs to change culturally as well as administratively? To discuss all this and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel, including: Harriet Andrews, Director of The Politics Project John Pullinger, Chair of the Electoral Commission Prof. Alan Renwick, Director of the Constitution Unit at UCL Clare Sim, Head of Member Support at the Association of Electoral Administrators (joining remotely) The event was chaired by Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday's show, Bryce Edwards from The Democracy Project joined us to discuss The Opportunity Party. He said one of the biggest challenges smaller parties face is the 'wasted vote' trap. Under New Zealand's electoral system, a party must win at least 5% of the party vote to gain list seats in Parliament. That means voters can be reluctant to back smaller parties because, if they miss the threshold, those votes don't translate into representation. The Electoral Commission recommended lowering the threshold to 4% in 2012 to help address the problem. But Ed Hitchcock, the man behind the On the Threshold website, has a very different solution. [picture id="4JOLCP4_Ed_Hitchcock_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Joined by Brian Dawson from An Coimisiún Toghcháin- the Electoral Commission.

If Labour's election losses are as bad as some experts predict, Keir Starmer might need a cabinet reshuffle to try to show some strength of leadership. Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson discuss the risks of that and why it might be counter-productive for the PM. Plus, pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common returns to chat about the Senedd elections in Wales – why has the voting system changed and why do so few voters seem to understand it?For a list of all candidates standing in your area, visit the Electoral Commission website.Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.ukAnd if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

Despite some encouraging developments, many blind and visually impaired people complain that they are still unable to secretly and independently cast their vote at elections. With UK elections fast approaching, this episode examines the current situation. Ian Hamilton reports on an initiative in Scotland, and also joining us are:-Rachael Andrews, whose action to bring a case to Court resulted in the Judge finding that the existing arrangements were "a parody of the Electoral system".Duncan Johnson from Pakflatt, a company that makes the McGonagle Reader, a device designed to enable secret and independent voting for blind people, and,Jackie Killeen, Director of administration and regulation at The Electoral Commission.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Fern Lulham Production Coordinator: Helen SurteesWebsite image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch"; and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.'

Former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers was announced as the person who will review the performance of the ECSA in the 2026 Election and he joined Will to discuss the key things he will look into. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Keir Starmer says he has "put to bed" the row over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador – but it looks set to rumble on for the PM.Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has now been summoned to give evidence to the Commons, as well as Sir Olly Robbins's predecessor at the Foreign Office, Sir Philip Barton.Beth explains why Barton's evidence could end up being "box office", while Ruth and Harriet give their assessment on Starmer's very difficult week.And the team discuss if it might be easier to reveal all the information which came up during vetting.Peter Mandelson denies criminal wrongdoing and has not been charged.Plus – Beth's in Manchester interviewing Green Party leader Zack Polanski. Will he be able to persuade voters in Labour heartlands – and beyond - to jump ship?For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-informationGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.ukAnd if you didn't know, you can also watch Ruth, Beth and Harriet on YouTube.

The Electoral Commission in Victoria will introduce a “low-sensory” election in this year's state elections. This is intended to make elections more accessible to neurodivergent voters. The Victorian Electoral Commission will launch a pilot in the by-elections in the Nepean electoral district tomorrow, April 21. - Die Wahlkommission in Victoria wird bei den diesjährigen Landtagswahlen eine „Low-Sensory“-Wahl einführen, also eine Wahl mit geringen sensorischen Reizen. Damit sollen die Wahlen für neurodivergente Wählerinnen und Wähler zugänglicher gemacht werden. Die Victorian Electoral Commission wird bei der Ersatzwahl im Wahlbezirk Nepean am morgigen 21. April einen Pilotversuch starten.

Deputy Premier Kyam Maher joined David & Will following the news in Breaking at 8 that another box of uncounted votes was found from the State Election. While the seat of Enfield wasn't close enough for the box to impact the result, Kyam Maher highlighted that the Government will launch a review into the Electoral Commission's processes following other issues this election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are voters about to hand Nigel Farage his biggest win yet? Reform are polling in second place in Scotland, and while Farage's party might not win in May, could the result change politics in the UK as we know it?This podcast was recorded on Thursday morning before the news that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting.Beth, Ruth and Harriet dive into what's really driving this moment for Reform and whether it's a protest vote against Scottish independence or something more permanent. And Beth reports back on her trip north of the border with Farage this week, which is part of a series of interviews she is conducting with all the leaders.Plus, pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common is back with a focus group of voters to help us understand what could happen across the board in the May elections and what it means for Labour, the Conservatives, and the future of two-party politics.For a list of all candidates standing in your area, check the Electoral Commission website: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-informationGot a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

With three weeks to polling day, postal voting is underway in local and devolved elections across the UK - but will the process stay clean and how much could deepfakes distort the campaign?In Scotland, an almighty row has erupted between Labour and Reform over an alleged behind-the-scenes alliance to remove the SNP, with both parties branding each other liars.Down in Wales, questions are being raised over whether a party could win the most votes yet fail to form the next administration under the new voting system.Sam hears from the CEO of the Electoral Commission about the threat of deepfakes and a new pilot scheme to detect them.Away from the campaign trail, Anne has been speaking to the new German ambassador to the UK, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with a potential challenger to Keir Starmer.Plus, details of plans being drawn up for a “worst-case scenario” over food shortages if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. You can find all the candidates standing in the local and national elections across the country here.

May 7th will see elections take place across the UK and there's some important deadlines and information for blind and partially sighted voters.RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell spoke to Liz Williams, RNIB Cymru, and Ella Griffiths-Downing, Electoral Commission, for more details.#RNIBConnectImage shows RNIB Cymru logo. On a white square "RNIB" is at the centre in bold black letters, with smaller "Cymru" underneath. They're underlined by a bold pink line.

The Victorian Electoral Commission will introduce low-sensory voting at this year's state election, in a move to make elections more accessible to neurodivergent voters. - Magpapakilala ang Victorian Electoral Commission ng low-sensory voting sa state election ngayong taon, isang hakbang para gawing mas accessible ang halalan para sa mga botanteng neurodivergent.

David & Will discuss the email sent out to polling day workers with the excuse of why they haven't been paid yet for their services on the State Election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christina Koch is ready to make history. She is one of the four astronauts of Artemis 2 which is set to head around the Moon in the next few days. During her career as a Nasa astronaut, she has spent more than 300 days aboard the International Space Station, and she was part of the first all-woman spacewalk with Jessica Meir. This mission will take her and her crewmates on a 10-day journey, further into space than any humans have ever gone. Joining Krupa Padhy to talk more about Christina and the importance of having women in space, is planetary and space scientist Professor Caroline Smith, Chair of the European Space Agency Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee and also Head of Collections at the Natural History Museum, and Natasha Carr, PhD researcher at the University of Leicester, who is researching planetary sciences and space instrumentation. Millions of voters will head to the polls on Thursday 7 May for the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election. Today a group of organisations, including the Electoral Commission, are calling for the elections to be free from abuse. The Commission's most recent research, following the 2025 local elections, found that 61% of respondents experienced harassment or security threats during the campaign and previous research found that respondents who were women were twice as likely to report serious abuse and those from ethnic minorities were three times as likely. To discuss the impact of this, Krupa is joined by Niki Nixon, Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Electoral Commission, and Hannah Perkin, a Liberal Democrat councillor on Faversham Town Council in Kent. According to the NHS, one in eight known pregnancies end in miscarriage. For some women, they will experience more than one miscarriage, and for those who have more than three, then this is known as 'recurrent miscarriage', which affects around one in 100 women. It is a hugely devastating experience for those going through it, and is one that is often underrepresented on screen. A new BBC drama, Babies, aims to bring this issue in to the light, as it follows a young couple on their journey to parenthood. Siobhán Cullen plays Lisa and she tells Krupa about playing the role. They are joined by Zoe Clark-Coates, CEO of the baby loss charity The Mariposa Trust.The countdown to May's Eurovision song contest in Austria is on. As critics and fans analyse all 35 competing entries, it's Romania's song that is attracting a lot of attention. Choke Me is performed by Alexandra Căpitănescu and is facing criticism from sexual violence campaigners. The song repeats the phrase ‘choke me' around 30 times in three minutes, raising concerns that it glamorises strangulation, a practice linked to brain injury and even death. Alexandra Căpitănescu has defended the track, saying the lyrics refer to the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotion and ‘being suffocated by self-doubt'. Krupa hears from Dr. Catherine White, Medical Director for the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, and Lisa-Jayne Lewis, Broadcaster and Commentator specialising in the Eurovision Song Contest.Presenter: Krupa Padhy Producer: Andrea Kidd

The latest study conducted for the Electoral Commission by the Human Sciences Research Council points to a troubling decline in South Africans’ belief in democracy, with the “demand for democracy” falling from 65% in the early 2000s to just 26% today, driven by growing frustration over corruption, poor service delivery, and a widening gap between political promises and delivery. Concerns are also being raised about declining trust in institutions such as the Electoral Commission of South Africa, alongside alarmingly low voter registration figures and fears of even lower turnout in upcoming elections. Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, speaks to John Maytham about what this means for the future of South Africa’s democratic system and the risks of governments being elected by an ever-smaller share of the population. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Perlman speaks Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission to get an update regarding the dates for the 2026 local government elections. 702 Drive with John Perlman is a Johannesburg based talk radio show. John and his team keep you company on 702 each weekday afternoon. Catch up with the news and issues of the day with John who interviews the daily newsmakers and makes sense of what is going on. John and his team invite you to join their daily conversation, as you travel through the traffic. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Drive with John Perlman. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 to 18:00 (SA Time) to the Drive with John Perlman broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/G5olsbR or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/75M9Chd Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naomi O'Leary and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· After six days of US-Israeli attacks on Iran, the conflict is escalating and has spread to Lebanon which has experienced sustained airstrikes from Israel. Iran has vowed to continue targeting Gulf countries having fired missile and drone attacks into Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The US has entered into a conflict with no clear focus or potential resolution. Trump's demands on social media for an ‘unconditional surrender' from Iran seem like wishful thinking at this point.· Irish consumers are already feeling the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East as the average cost of 500 litres of home heating oil was put at just under €800 on Thursday, an increase of nearly 60 per cent in less than a week. The Government was quick to react, asking the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to launch an immediate investigation of domestic suppliers here.· And research into last year's presidential election by the Electoral Commission threw up some interesting results, not least that almost half of those who spoiled their vote, more than 12 per cent of the total ballot, did so because they didn't like any of the candidates. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Horse manure sparks tension in the Liberties, mobile phones can be ageing over time, and does an arts degree retain any value these days?Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tension is building in Ayawaso East as political parties project confidence less than 24 hours before the by election, with the Electoral Commission and Police declaring full readiness.

The Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has determined that petitions seeking the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, her two deputies and the Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, do not establish a prima facie case to warrant further action

Joining host Alain Tolhurst to discuss the ways our democracy is under attack from the continued abuse and intimidation of our politicians are Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan, along with Hannah Phillips, respectful politics policy manager at the Jo Cox Foundation, and the Labour MP John Slinger, vice chair of  new all-party parliamentary group on defending democracy.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

Electoral changes and the political temperature heading into 2026. Emmet discuss this and more with Art O'Leary CEO of Electoral Commission.

Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has suspended the printing of ballot papers and all IPAC engagements relating to the Kpandai election re-run, pending the Supreme Court's decision on whether the election will be held in January.

This Trawl kicks off with a little bit of Cilla Black, just like the old days. Then Jemma and Marina take a festive detour to check in on how Rossid Woods is coping with the season (spoiler: not brilliantly), and enjoy a very relatable warning about over-committing to plans.Then… unable to put it off any longer, they dive into the political storm of the week.Reform UK has received a record-breaking £9 million donation, the biggest political donation in British history. Marina and Jemma wade through what's been reported and the questions now being raised by Labour and the Lib Dems about transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and whether the Electoral Commission should investigate.Also on Farage's plate are the ongoing alleged racism controversies, and fresh allegations about campaign spending.Meanwhile, Charlie Mullins is explaining patriotism from the runway to Dubai and encouraging Brits to become economic migrants. Marina and Jemma unpack the week's biggest political messes so you don't have to. Bring snacks. And a stiff drink.Thank you for sharing and please do follow us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawl Twitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastIf you've even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you'll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on• Early access to The Trawl Meets…• Glorious ad-free episodesPlus, there's a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.And it's your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you're not alone.Come join the fun:https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I reconnect with Peter from Hearts of Oak to discuss recent developments in Advance UK, including our smooth registration with the Electoral Commission and the vital role of local councillors in grassroots campaigning. I critique the current political landscape, focusing on our empowering college structure and the impact of ECHR on immigration control. We address taxation policies, systemic failures regarding grooming gangs, and the importance of accountability. I also express my enthusiasm for an upcoming interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali, highlighting her insights on national identity. This conversation embodies Advance UK's commitment to clear principles and invites others to join our movement for change.   Connect with Ben Habib WEBSITE       Home - Great British PAC Advance UK  Advance UK

Reform are in the money. This morning the Electoral Commission has dropped the latest figures on political donations, and Reform are streets ahead. Former Tory donor Christopher Harborne has handed Nigel Farage £9 million, what we believe to be a record amount from a single donor. How much impact will this have on Reform's chances of electoral success? How much influence do political donors have over how their money is spent?Elsewhere, Reform are conducting a press conference later this afternoon where they will be sticking it to Labour over its decision to postpone more local elections. Without new mayoral elections in four more areas, where are Reform going to spend their new cash?Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Aotearoa need to build a truly future-ready public service? This  episode brings together  Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission, Glenys Talivai, Chief Executive Officer, Public Trust, Megan Main, CEO, ACC, NZ, Jo Healey, VP, Customer, Fujitsu to examine the core elements shaping government to 2032 — from innovation and iwi partnership to the rise of AI and the evolution of citizen experience. Together, they unpack how these forces are redefining what modern public service delivery looks like, and what it will take to ensure New Zealand's digital transformation remains on track. The discussion explores the public sector's digital roadmap, the role of innovation in lifting productivity, and how meaningful engagement with iwi will guide equitable transformation. Panellists also look ahead to the major digital initiatives on the horizon and how these will change government operations over the next decade. With a focus on designing citizen-centric services and understanding AI's growing influence, the panel outlines what must happen now to prepare Aotearoa for the next generation of public service.   Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission, Glenys Talivai, Chief Executive Officer, Public Trust, Megan Main, CEO, ACC, NZ, Jo Healey, VP, Customer, Fujitsu For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

Tamale High Court has directed the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election in the Kpandai Constituency within 30 days, following a petition by Daniel Nsala Wakpal, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, challenging the results of the 2024 parliamentary election

Treasa spoke to the chief executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin/The Electoral Commission, Art O’Leary. He answered your questions about tomorrow’s Presidential election. For more information, go to: https://www.electoralcommission.ie/what-you-need-to-vote/ | Kerry Today with Treasa Murphy

Brian Dawson from the Electoral Commission talks voter engagement and what's next for elections in Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Friday, the 24th of October, the people of Ireland will go to the polls to elect our next President. The electorate will decide whether Independent candidate, Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys succeed Michael D Higgins in Áras an Úachtaráin. The name of Jim Gavin, Fianna Fáil's candidate who withdrew from the race on the 5th of October, remains on the ballot paper. That means there will still be three names on the ballot, even though only two candidates remain active in the campaign. For some guidance ad advice on all this, Alan Morrissey spoke to Art O'Leary, Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghchain on Monday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) An Coimisiún Toghcháin

Late enrolments aren't the reason for a slow election vote count. That's according to constitutional lawyer Graeme Edgeler, who agrees with comments from the Electoral Commission that changes to voting rules won't speed up the process. The government's ending same-day enrolments and requiring people to enrol 13 days before polling day. But Edgeler told Ryan Bridge that it won't solve the delay. He says checks for people on the unpublished roll or voting out of their electorates also delay the process. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Presidential election is on Friday, October 24th. Art O’Leary is chief executive of An Comisiún Toghcháin/ The Electoral Commission. He outlines what you need to do to ensure that you can cast your vote. https://www.electoralcommission.ie/

Thousands had data leaked in blood center ransomware attack UK Electoral Commission recovers, 3 years after China hack Npm packages with 2 billion weekly downloads targeted in supply chain attack Huge thanks to our sponsor, Vanta Do you know the status of your compliance controls right now? Like...right now? We know that real-time visibility is critical for security, but when it comes to our GRC programs…we rely on point-in-time checks. But more than 9,000 companies have continuous visibility into their controls with Vanta. Vanta brings automation to evidence collection across over 35 frameworks, like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. They also centralize key workflows like policies, access reviews, and reporting, and helps you get security questionnaires done 5 times faster with AI. Now that's…a new way to GRC. Get started at Vanta.com/headlines.  

The ability for blind and visually impaired people to cast their vote privately and independently at elections is an issue we've followed closely on In Touch. We're joined by the head of guidance at the Electoral Commission, Charlene Hannon, who tells us about their research of the matter and how you can take part.Our reporter, Ian Hamilton visited the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to meet some of the visually impaired artists taking part. Ian discovers what themes they're covering and learns about efforts to make the arts more accessible.Listener input is an essential ingredient of In Touch, and this week's episode is no exception. In response to your reaction to last week's discussion about JAWS software pricing, we revisit the issue.Presenter: Peter White Producer: Fern Lulham Production Coordinator: David BaguleyWebsite image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch"; and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.'

Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections?Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking?And why are ancient and cultural heritage sites in Ethiopia facing a crisis.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections?Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking?And why are ancient and cultural heritage sites in Ethiopia facing a crisis.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Art O'Leary, Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, discusses the Electoral Commission's concern about the accuracy of the country's electoral registers.

Episode overview: In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working at Meta and consulting for Nigeria's Electoral Commission to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach to storytelling, and the unique position independent creators hold in today's media landscape. Andile Masuku describes Ogwuche as "low-key the industry's head of intelligence" - a title earned through her knack for asking the right questions, journalistic research methods, and ability to get people comfortable enough to share meaningful insights about the African tech ecosystem. Key topics: - Transitioning from corporate roles to independent media ownership - The power of personality-driven content creation - Building authentic connections with interview subjects - Research as a foundation for compelling storytelling - The growth and evolution of Africa's tech media landscape - The balance between reporting ecosystem challenges and celebrating wins Notable points: 1. Ogwuche started Big Tech This Week as a hobby while working at Meta during the pandemic, seeking creative expression outside her corporate role 2. Her experience representing Nigeria's Electoral Commission on television at age 24-25 shaped her understanding of effective communication 3. The African tech and media ecosystems are both relatively young—many major startups and publications are only 10-16 years old 4. Independent creators are increasingly collaborating across borders to tell stories in fresh, compelling ways 5. Thorough research and genuine curiosity are central to Fatu's interview approach, allowing for deeper conversations with tech leaders Projects mentioned: - The Crossover Show 2024 - Ogwuche's year-end review featuring conversations with ecosystem leaders about significant trends and looking ahead to 2024 | Link: https://youtu.be/s31x58-EnJU?si=dvGqM9PDDnHFkSJP - "If Weekend Go Sweet" - A collaborative op-ed between Ogwuche and Masuku examining African tech's 2024 "Wednesday signals" | Link: https://www.africantechroundup.com/op-ed-if-weekend-go-sweet-fatu-ogwuches-reading-of-african-techs-2024-wednesday-signs-2/ - Backstories with Fatu - Ogwuche's interview series featuring tech entrepreneurs who don't typically do many interviews | Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFlwhyjoaXiZl0M34txzp8ACjqAQt8wC&si=v3XWNApO8Hik1rWo Fatu approaches her work with an authenticity that makes interview subjects comfortable sharing insights they might not reveal elsewhere. As both she and Andile note, what sets her apart is her combination of strategic intelligence, legal background, natural curiosity, and creative spark—along with a commitment to presenting information in ways that engage and inform. As the African tech ecosystem continues to develop alongside its media landscape, voices like Fatu's provide not just reporting but vital context and nuance, helping audiences understand both challenges and opportunities in a balanced way.