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With the help of its network of international correspondents, local
bureaus, political analysts and election experts, the channel hopes
to provide unrivalled election coverage around the world.
The focus of the exclusive coverage will be on on upcoming elections
in Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, India, Indonesia, South Korea,
the Philippines, as well as the ongoing U.S. presidential election
campaigning, says a company release. Indian elections meanwhile
are marked for month of April. CNN's New Delhi bureau chief Satinder
Bindra will lead CNN's extensive coverage of elections in the world's
largest democracy. Bindra and his team analyze the issues facing
voters and politicians alike in elections characterized by large
voter turnouts, passion and tens of thousands of colorful candidates,
says the release.
The polls will be staggered across four days in April and May with
results to be declared on 13 May and CNN will bring live reports
from New Delhi and elsewhere throughout the period.
According to CNN International senior vice presidentRena Golden,
"Our audience of opinion-formers and decision makers look to
us for incisive, timely reporting and analysis of the international
implications of global politics, and we are committed to being the
channel of record for political and election news around the world."
The coverage plans for the major upcoming elections in the first
half of 2004 are listed below:
For March:
Taiwan: CNN's senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy will spearhead
comprehensive coverage of the Taiwanese elections on 20 March from
Taipei. With an in-depth focus, CNN aims to provide up-to-the-minute
election results as they happen, extensive commentary and analysis
on issues relating to the country's military and defence plans,
foreign investment, social affairs and a look at what the future
holds for Taiwan's relations with the rest of the international
community, says the release.
Malaysia: As Malaysia prepares for its 11th General Election, CNN's
Jakarta bureau chief and correspondent Maria Ressa takes her crew
to Malaysia to provide comprehensive coverage of the elections.
CNN will provide interviews and analysis in the run up to the elections,
with live reports on election day, from 21 March. More than 10 million
voters will choose representatives for the federal parliament and
lawmakers for state assemblies, says the release.
For April:
South Africa: April marks the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid
and as South Africans head to the polls to vote in the country's
general election, CNN and Johannesburg bureau chief Charlayne Hunter-Gault
will look at events as they unfold, with live election-day coverage
on 14 April 14 and special reports from Pretoria on 27 April 27
about the inauguration ceremony. Coverage highlights include interviews
with leading political figures and analysis of key issues including
education, AIDS, land redistribution, the South African economy
and crime, adds the release.
Indonesia: The parliamentary elections takes place on 5 April, followed
by the country's first-ever direct presidential elections on 5 July,
Jakarta bureau chief Maria Ressa and her team take CNN's international
viewers to the world's largest Muslim country and provide comprehensive
coverage of the elections, including in-depth analysis on issues
related to the elections and the results.
South Korea: On 15 April, voters of South Korea will directly elect
the National Assembly which consists of 273 seats in total. CNN
correspondent Sohn Jie-ae will gauge the mood of Korean voters and
provide up-to-the-minute updates on the elections, adds the release.
The countries on May agenda are:
The Philippines: Maria Ressa will lead CNN's coverage of the Philippines'
presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on 10 May. As
the incumbent President Macapagal-Arroyo and five other candidates
including the main opposition candidate and popular film idol Fenando
Poe Jr. begin their official campaigning, CNN will provide in-depth
analysis and commentary for its international viewers.
As for the ongoing US presidential election, CNN promises to continue
providing the most comprehensive coverage of all the twists and
turns of the election campaigning through the coming months. Throughout
the year, CNN's Jonathan Mann and Richard Quest together lead the
network's signature coverage of global reaction and interest in
the battle for the White House. CNN will interview the top candidates,
policy makers and citizens alike to gauge the temperature of international
issues affected by U.S. politics, says the release.
With US foreign policy as a major focal point for CNN International's
coverage of the presidential election, CNN plans to offer a regional
perspective to its viewers around the world. Former defence secretary
William Cohen will share his knowledge of political and world affairs
and discusses the importance of US foreign policy in the election.
Plus CNN will feature special reports from European political editor
Robin Oakley, Senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy, Africa correspondent
Jeff Koinange, senior Middle East correspondent Brent Sadler and
Latin America correspondent Harris Whitbeck.
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