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The governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, faces an ultimatum to resign or be removed from office, following allegations that he has been n the US Senate. Illinois is one of a number of US states to give its governor the right to nominate a replacement senator in the even that a serving senator dies or resigns. That gubernatorial privilege may well be lost as a consequence of this extraordinary affair. And states across the world will no doubt wish to review any patronage privileges they currently maintain in respect of electoral office.

The Northern Ireland Office is to introduce a new system for replacing MEPs who leave office early. Instead of a by-election, the system will permit political parties to choose a replacement candidate.