This would include the requirement that a candidate provide proof of his eligibility beyond the affidavit which every state requires a candidate or his representative to sign.

FORBES: Arizona Birther Bill Awaits Governor's Signature Into Law

Mr Villaraigosa's campaign is complicated, however, by the presence in the race of another Latino candidate, Xavier Becerra, a representative for the 30th congressional district, who shares an office building with him.

ECONOMIST: Politics amid the palms | The

The third presidential candidate I met was Pallo Bangura, the representative of the RUF Party.

BBC: S Leone foes 'compete as friends'

Minnesota representative and Tea Party favorite and one-time presidential candidate Michele Bachmann announced that she will not run again for Congress.

NPR: How Will Bachmann's Departure Affect Politics?

In Mr Mourdock's home state of Indiana, Representative Mike Pence, running for governor, called on the candidate to apologise.

BBC: Republican Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock in rape row

Tunisia, for example, now seems the most likely candidate to make a successful transition from authoritarian rule to truly representative government.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: How to make Egypt safe for democracy

Sir Paddy has been selected as the European Union's candidate to replace Wolfgang Petritsch, who leaves the position as UN High Representative next May.

BBC: Ashdown candidate for UN Bosnia job

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, former U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman, is leading in the polls.

WSJ: Americans Sour on Trade

The party has also apologised after its candidate for Shalford failed to get registered in time, meaning there will be no Conservative representative to defend the seat.

BBC: Local elections 2013: What they could mean for Surrey