Turning elections into a development asset in Africa

Abstract

It is only when the basic needs such as food, clothing and adequate shelter are satisfied for each person in the continent, that Africa would have acquired the fundamental requisites for a deep-rooted culture of peace and security. The same goes for having predictable, periodic and credible national elections within the individual countries. Indeed, election crises have been raging in some parts of Africa. That elections are emerging as a new source of tension, disputes, disruption and violence is a worrisome trend with far reaching implications for political stability and normalcy in the continent. It now appears that the hope that came about with the return to political pluralism in the continent more than a decade ago, the assumption that elections would help in fostering peace, stability, harmony and sound developmental policy choices, is fading away.