The contribution of post-election crises to the growth of electoral democracy in Africa:
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Date
2011-05
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Kampala International University, School of Law
Abstract
On 30th December 2007, following the announcement of the presidential election results
in Kenya; violence broke out in several places across the country amidst claims that the
electoral commission of Kenya (ECK) had rigged the presidential election. Sporadic
eruptions continued for many weeks, bringing death and destmction to thousands of
Kenyans. The general purpose of the study was to examine the contribution of the postelection
violence to the growth of electoral democracy in Kenya and relate it to the rest of
Africa.
The objective of the study is to establish how the violence affected the growth of
electoral democracy in Kenya, examine the constitutional and legal framework and
identifies any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the electoral process, establish
reformative areas of the electoral system to enhance democratic elections and to establish
measures to eradicate impunity and promote electoral democracy in Kenya.
In confonnity with scope of the study, the report examines the causes of post-election
crisis in Kenya from independence to date and presents its findings and
recommendations.
The study establishes that violence has been a recurring feature in Kenyan elections since
independence and that violence had previously been confined within tribal lines. The
2008 post-election violence in Kenya intimidated the right to vote, and be voted in any
political office and the concept of free and fair elections was greatly impaired. The study
also found out that majority of the electorate think that even if they participate in
democratic elections, the outcome will be compromised as it was in the 2007 elections
thus voter apathy is prevalent among the people especially those in the violence-stricken
areas.
The study recommends that since democracy is a practice, there is a need to implement
the findings and recommendations addressed in the Commission of Inquiry into Post
Election Violence in Kenya (CIPEV) and the Independent Review Commission (IREC).
debated political transition in Kenya and succeeded in substituting British colonial rule
with elected African leaders.
Description
A research project submitted to the faculty of law in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor’s Degree in law of Kampala International University
Keywords
Post-election, Electoral democracy, 2008 post-election violence, Kenya