Matlosa, Khabele2019-09-252019-09-252015-09-092005-10http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/226578There is no gainsaying that while most Southern African Development Community (SADC) states have embraced liberal democracy, in practice, they are implementing electoral practices that are essentially a narrower form of liberal democracy. The likely impact of the election principles and guidelines adopted by the SADC Heads of State and Government at the 2004 Summit in Mauritius is open to question. Is democracy equal to, or synonymous with, elections per se? What exactly is the relationship between elections and democracy? This paper attempts to answer these questions, but we will also indirectly point to the uncertain future of electoral democracy in the SADC region and the challenges faced when institutionalising liberal democracy.engWith permission of the license/copyright holderelectiondemocracypolitical stabilityconflictsPolitical ethicsEthics of political systemsEthics of lawRights based legal ethicsGovernance and ethicsPreprint