The journey towards free and fair elections in African countries has been characterized by perseverance, resilience, and a deep commitment to democratic ideals. Despite facing various challenges and obstacles, many African nations have made significant progress in conducting transparent and inclusive electoral processes that reflect the will of the people. This essay explores the experiences of African countries in striving for free and fair elections, highlighting the strides they have made and the lessons learned along the way.
The Ghanian Experience
In recent years, several African nations have witnessed significant improvement in their election processes, with many countries adopting reforms to enhance the credibility and transparency of their electoral systems. However, the definition as to what a free and fair election would be like is meta and subjugated to shared interests of a particular community. While we would see a free and fair election, an election that involves political freedoms and fair processes leading up to the vote, a fair count of elegible voters who cast the a ballot, a lack of electoral fraud or voter suppression, and an acceptance of election results by all parties, some political anaylists would suggest meeting some international standards for free and frair elections. In his research focused on the nature of decision making in actual institutions, Robert Alan Dahl defined a free and fair election as an election in which coercion is comparatively uncommon (Rodrigue, Adrien & Lloyd-Thomas, Mathew, 2014). One notable example is Ghana, often hailed as a beacon of democracy in Africa. Reflecting a steady positive size of credibility in the Ghanian’s successful improvement in the electoral processes the world widely reknown magazine The Economist wrote “On a continent known for its corruption, shambolic institutions and dictatorships, a peaceful and successful democratic election is something to be celebrated” (December 15th, 2011). With a history of peaceful transitions of power through elections, Ghana has demonstrated a commitment to upholding democratic principles and rules of law. The country has implimented measures to ensure free and fair elections, such as the use of biometric voter registratiton and the presence of international observers -despite this presence being critically questionable in modern Africa today- to monitor the electoral process. Such initiatives have contributed to building trust in the electoral system and promoting public confidence in the democratic process.
A woman casting vote at a polling station in Cape Town.
The South African and Nigerian Experience
Similarly, countries like South Africa and Nigeria have made significant strides in advancing free and fair elections. South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy in 1994 marked a pivotal moment in the country’s history, exemplifying the power of inclusive elections in fostering national unity and reconciliation. In his efforts to trying to elaborate perspectives and case studies whose salient central points focus on democratic transitions, Tom Lodge’s take on democratic transitions in regard to South African experience argued that South Africa’s democratic settlement is generally viewed as a particularly successful transition from authoritarian government. With a strong legal framework and independent electoral commission, South Africa has conducted several successful elections that have been widely regarded as free and fair. Nigeria, despite facing challenges such as electoral violence and irregularities, has also made progress in improving its electoral processses through reforms such as the introduction of electronic voter registration and transmission of results. In regard to electoral impediments, that is electoral irregularities, Damian Ukwandu and Emmanuel Ejere would utter that in Nigerian, votes rarely count as elections are usually not free and fair due to various electoral malpractices such as rigging or illegal practice of influence, ballot box snatching or treachery, vote-buying, violence, bribery among many irregularities (Dec.2011).
Voters react during vote counting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University polling station in Awka, Nigeria
Kenyan Experience
In fact, liberal democracy is characterized by a number of undisputed principles: periodic, free, fair, and credible elections. In addition to countries like Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria, Kenya also embraced multiparty democratic framework at independence in 1963. It has since utilized periodic elections as a legitimate way of selecting leaders to office. The national election held in August 8th 2017 in Kenya despite some institutional challenges was by large accepted as free, fair and inclusive. By using Afrobarometer to explore public opinion on the level of performance of independent electoral commission, the media towards free, fair, credible elections, and political parties, Mercy Kathambi Kaburu (2017), found that Kenya’s national elections were conducted under a comprehensive electoral legal setting and met the threshold of free, fair, and credible election. The positive assessment of universally accepted electoral practice indicators by most of the people affirms that, notable challenges notwithstanding, Kenya’s 2017 national elections were free, fair and credible, thus endorsing the legitimacy and authority of elected leaders (Mercy K. Kaburu, 2017). Indeed, a huge number of Kenyan respondents (74%) to the intereview during the Afrobarometer Round 8 survey conduct were in favor of a regular, open, and honest election as a means of selecting leaders for office (Afrobarometer 2019). Lindberg (2004) suggests that a free and fair electoral process edicts an important component of distributive justice (the one that tries to allocate resources fairly among citiziens) in relation to power and empowers authority and legitimacy of democratically elected government. Lindberg’s assertion advocates the importance of elections as a primary way through which citizens or ruled people select and establish a binding strong social contractual ties with their rulers (selected leaders), and the government as a complete social entity.
People line up to vote at the Oltepesi Primary School in Kajiado County, Nairobi, Kenya.
The experience of these countries underscore the importance of inclusive governance, respect for the rule of law, and active citizen participation in shaping the electoral process. In many cases, civil society organizations, media, and international partners – even if this presence is still debatable -- have played a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in elections. By monitoring electoral activities, raising awareness about voter rights, and advocating for reforms, these stakeholders have helped to safeguard the integrity of electoral processes and hold political leaders accountable for their actions.
Despite the progress made, African countries continue to face challenges in ensuring free and and fair elections. Issues such as political violence or violence used to achieve political goals, manupilation of electoral laws, and lack of independent institutions remain significant hurdles to democratic consolidation. In some cases, ruling parties have sought to undermine the electoral process through intimidation, censorhsip, and misinformation compaigns aimed at suppressing opposition voices and perpetuating their hold on power. To address these challenges, African countries must prioritize electoral reforms that enhance transparency, strengthen electoral institution, and safeguard the rights of voters and political contestants.
Moreoever, promoting a culture of electoral integrity requires a multi-stakeholder approach that involves collaboration among goverments, civil society, media, and international partners, despite the presence of international observers being strongly critized and debatable. By working together to monitor elections, raise awareness about electoral rights, and hold political leaders accountable, these stakeholders can help create an enabling environment for free and fair electoral processes. Building trust in the electoral system also requires investing in civic education, voter registration, and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes in a timely and transparent manner.
In conclusion, the expericence of African countries in striving for free and fair elections demonstrate the continent’s commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law. Despite facing myriad challenges, many African nations have made significant progress in enhancing the credibility and transparency of their electoral processes, thanks to the efforts of governments, civil society, and other stakeholders. By learning from past experiences, strengthening institutions, and upholding democratic values, African countries can continue to build a foundation for peaceful transitions of power and inclusive governance. As the continent moves forward on its democratic journey, the promotion of free and fair elections will remain essential in advancing sustainable development, upholding human rights, and ensuring the voice of the people is heard in shaping the future of their nations.
Reference:
1. Tom Lodge, 1999, Democratic Transitions: Perspective and Case Studies. From Apatheid to Democracy in South Africa.
2. Palgrave MacMillan, 2005: Rethinking the Rise and Fall of Apartheid, pp. 162-163
3. Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) was the armed wing of the African National Congress.
4. Mercy Kathambi Kaburu, 2017: Free, fair and Credible? An Assessment of Kenya’s 2017 Election.
5. Lindberg, S2004: The Democratic Qualities of Competitive Elections: Participation,Competition and Legitimacy in Africa, Common Wealth &Comparative Politics, vol.42, no. I,pp.65-105
6. Rield, RB 2014, Authoritarian Origins of Democratic Party Systems in Africa, Cambridge University Press, New York.
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