UPDATE ~ Iranian authorities order partial recount of presidential vote News
UPDATE ~ Iranian authorities order partial recount of presidential vote

[JURIST] A partial recount of votes in last Friday's Iran presidential election was ordered by Iranian electoral authorities Monday after reformist candidates accused military organizations of rigging the first round of voting [JURIST report]. The close first election resulted in a run-off election planned for June 24 between former president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani [Wikipedia profile], and his surprise rival and a close second, conservative Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad [Wikipedia profile]. Iran's Guardian Council [BBC backgrounder] called for a recount in four provinces, including Tehran. The Guardian Council is expected to release the recount's results no later than Monday night and the two candidates will be able to begin their campaigning Tuesday [IRIB report]. Reuters has more; IRIB has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.