what are the causes of electoral violence

what are the causes of electoral violence

And if the race is close or if there's evidence of vote rigging, supporters of each side could still take to the streets to air their grievances. For example, Nigeria, in 2003 federal election, at least 100 people were killed and many more were injured, 600 people were reported killed in the December 2007 presidential election violence in Kenya, following disputes over the results. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. Rose, R. (1978). At Busa, a community in the Wa Municipality for example, violent erupted leading to burning of a motor bike and injury to people. located in the Graduate School and University Center of the City University "They're not fighting, they're talking to each other. State and Civil Society Relations in Nigeria. What factors that influence the youth in electoral violence? The article 42 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states that "every citizen of Ghana of 18 years of age or above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda". Founded on January 22, 1995, THISDAY is published by THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LTD., 35 Creek Road Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria with offices in 36 states of Nigeria , the Federal Capital Territory and around the world. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox. Curbing Electoral Violence in Nigeria: The Imperative of Political Education. The chapter has two main parts. Violence and Politics in Nigeria; The Tiv and Yoruba Experience. The role of elections in promoting good governance and democratic consolidation cannot be over emphasised. That is those institutions or organisations that have key interest in the electoral process. nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. First, electoral violence was successfully eliminated in Britain. It was founded in 1968 to further the development of comparative The importance of these conditions varies with the type of violence (clashes, intimidation or murders). The last election's carnage was so extreme that it launched a flurry of studies and reports centered on how to prevent it the next time around. Retrieved September 12, 2020 from https://www.usip.org/programs/preventing-electoral-violence-sudan. George, A.T. (Friday, August 9, 2019). Request Permissions, Review by: Instead, political coalitions in Kenya have not advanced beyond their narrow bases. To examine the role the media play in electoral violence. Transforming coalitions into solid parties may take time. Electoral violence: causes and prevention Key !ndings from AFSCs Shared Security, Shared Elections report Why do elections become violent? In fact the phenomenon of election violence is taking root and is becoming a serious challenge in our electoral process. A review of these elections in Ghana since 1992 highlights the importance of democracy in legitimising the exercise of political power held and transferred of such power from a defeated government to another elected government. Program in Political Science of the City University of New York. The Article 21 of 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that, the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government as expressed in periodic and genuine elections. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) provides that Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections.(Heyns, Killander; 2007). Osaghae, E.E. Igbuzor, O. ", It may still be possible that there will be rioting by opposition groups if Uhuru Kenyatta, who is currently in the lead, wins the general race. A precedent of violence proving effective. Democracy stands for stability, freedom of expression and choice. Physical violent exists when parties or standby and development projects are affected directly or indirectly by killing, maiming by guns, bombs among others constitute casualties used in assessing the magnitudes of the violent. This creates a semblance of national unity. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. A paper on Electoral Reform, Political Succession and Democratization in Africa. Violence affects elections in all regions of the world, but it is particularly prevalent in three regions: sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia, and there was an increase in the number of . Kenyan political parties operate around personalities, rather than ideologies. Study for free with our range of university lectures! What argument can we advance in favour of democratic consolidation in Africa/ Ghana when elections end in chaos, as we witnessed in some part of Africa/ the country? (Samuel Mondays Atuobi; 2008:6). For example, there were incidences of violence and mob actions reported in Pru District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Tamale Central, Tamale North, Saboba, Zabzugu/Tatale constituencies in the Northern region. Here are a few of the circumstances that some experts say can spark election violence -- in Kenya and elsewhere: 1. These elections have been described as free and fair elections and made Ghana to become a member of committee of nations in the international systems. Examples are the mode of campaigning in an election, the use of state resources (abuse of incumbency) especially by the party in power as against the electoral laws. This will allow us to implement cutting-edge research designs by tracing a large number of individuals' voting histories over multiple elections and correlate this with incidents of violence, along with various background characteristics (e.g., age, education, income, employment etc.) Electoral Violence in Nigeria. And political parties negotiate these governing coalitions after elections, not before. First, electoral violence has been poorly conceptualized, undermining theoretical and empirical progress. Politicians use it as a method of campaign causing fears and intimidation among their opponents strongholds. The original work is not included in the purchase of this review. Violence and intimidation were a common part of early elections in many now established democracies. Violence and intimidation were a common part of early elections in many now established democracies. Elections are process through which citizens choose who will represent them in government or what will be done about a particular issue. But unlike the U.S., Kenya lacked a strong judiciary to resolve the issue. This article argues for a conceptualization of electoral violence as a specific sub-category of political violence, determined mainly by its timing and target. Barely seven months after leaving office, Kenyas former president Uhuru Kenyatta is battling to keep together the party that won him a second term and a majority in parliament in 2017. Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. The stakeholders refer to the major players in the electoral process. (1997). Based on the exceptionally detailed historical records available for Britain (1832-1914), Patrick M Kuhn (PI, Durham), Gidon Cohen (Co-I, Durham) and Nick Vivyan (Co-I, Durham) aim to provide new answers to some of the most challenging questions about what leads to electoral violence, and about its effects. That might sound like a familiar problem -- the 2000 U.S. election was also famously extremely close, strongly disputed and involved some voting irregularities (hanging chads, anyone?) 1. International Relations, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa. For example, the outcomes of election in Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Malaysia are characterised with violence leading to loss of human life, property, injuries and chaos. Authorities have deployed the army on the streets of the capital, Dakar, and other cities as the death toll rose to 15. Retrieved August 10, 2019 from http://www.fes.de/Gpol/en. (Eds). (Oquaye, 2004:60).So from Abraham Lincolns definition, democracy means ruling in the interest and with the power of the citizen. They are products of previous failed attempts at alliance building. That is why during elections, the politicians manipulate the system to win power for the attainment of their own interest. Democracy could be seen in the light of socialist and liberal perspectives. David Riches introduced the triangle of violence consisting of performer, victim, and witness. (2007). From the table above, the NDC led by former president Jerry John Rawlings won both 1992 and 1996 elections. Therefore the system of choosing leaders either parliamentarians or presidential should be free and fair whereby the electorates are at liberty to make their own choice at any given election of their country. Bello, A. Ugiagbe, T.U. Ogbogo, E.I. The first examines the predictors of electoral violence, focusing specifically on the role of divisive land appeals in increasing an individual's likelihood of experiencing violence. Electoral violence is expressed through the following actions: violation of the legal framework; offensive or indecent words; murders; injury between rival supporters; intimidation of opponents, voters, or electoral officials; ballot stuffing; exclusion of communities. Without getting full grips on the causes of this violence, it would be very difficult if not impossible for any person, group and organisation/institution to come out with appropriate solutions/recommendations to the negative tendencies that seem to have negative effects on the smooth conduct of elections and the democratic peace we enjoy in Ghana. Elections Without Choice. The fluid coalitions are, therefore, essential in such political landscapes until national cohesion and coherence are achieved. Elections and Political Authority in Hermet, G.; Rose, R.; and Rouquie, A. Controls over behaviour may involve the use of force or coercive techniques, such as physical punishment or restraint by incarceration. Unstable coalitions contribute to electoral violence as losing coalitions vent their grievances. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. Improving our understanding of electoral violence is crucial because the central challenge of contemporary democratization is transforming formal electoral processes into meaningful political participation free of the shadow of the gun. ; Ogundiya, I.S. is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Elections and Electoral Violence in Nigeria, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4652-2_2, https://reliefweb.int/report/kenya/kenya-electoral-violence-operations-update-no-18-0, https://www.usip.org/programs/preventing-electoral-violence-sudan, http://www.monitor.upeace.org/archieve.cfm, Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0), Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. To determine the political factors that perpetuates electoral violence. But the sheer outrageousness of the violence in 2007 also raises the question: Why are some elections violent, while most proceed without incident? In democratic systems, elections are a primary tool to legitimise the authority of the rulers. The unrest in Kenya began in December 2007, when Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner and his main opponent, Raila Odinga, claimed there had been countless instances of vote-rigging. My hope is that the Senegalese religious leaders and civil society can step in and try to mediate between the two sides that ultimately will have to make concessions and create an enabling environment for meaningful, inclusive and credible presidential elections to take place in February 2024.. Content may require purchase if you do not have access. (2007). Johan, B. and Hoglund, K. (2016, March). We will address major historical debates about the adequacy of cultural explanations of election violence by examining whether such violence was primarily used strategically by politicians, or whether, as most contemporary historians have argued, that it was an unfortunate part of the carnival atmosphere of elections in the Victorian period. Adebutu Accuses IG of Suppressing Probe against Ogun Gov on Vote Buying, Election Violence. (Mouton, 2001:55). Journal of African Elections, 6(2): 155179. Momoh, H.B. (1998). (2011). If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. American Political Science Review, pp. PubMedGoogle Scholar, Department of History and Strategic It is everywhere in the media that Governor Dapo Abiodun induced voters with tax payers money. In this study, elections mean combination of acts and procedures aiming at choosing, selecting or casting of a ballot for a candidate among various candidates as members of parliament and as the head of state (President) or any public and private institutions. The sample size is 120 people which are made up of 20 people for FGD and the remaining100 people for in-depth interview with open-ended questions. (Karma, 1999; Twumasi, 2001), In-depth interviewing is a qualitative research t. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! Comparative Politics was founded by Why then the practice in the third world countries are characterised by violence? Introduction The institution of elections is virtually ubiquitous in the contemporary world. Violence means any act or any inducement directly or indirectly aiming at harming or influencing a voter physically, emotionally or psychologically in such a way that affect their genuine or legitimate choice in an election. Under presidents Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978) and Daniel Moi (1978-2002), KANU co-opted opposition figures into an elaborate system of patronage and coerced critics who didnt toe the party line. The media as in the research question and the objective refer to the radio, the print media, television and internet. Democracy is said to have a positive attributes and it presupposes the idea that, what is democratic is good and the opposite is the reverse. Research design is a plan or blueprint of how you intend conducting the research. Crisis of Governance in South Sudan: Electoral Politics and Violence in the Worlds Newest Nation. (Reuters). (Nasiru Adamu, 2009:17). City University of New York. For one thing, it is the exercise of force, or more generally power, in such a way as to harm others in pursuit of ones own ends. to study the micro-dynamics of electoral violence and see how violence effects voting behaviour over time and across multiple elections. the Political Science Program of the City University of New York in 1968 to Following the violent aftermath of the 2017 Kenyan elections, Odingas coalition at the time, the National Super Alliance (NASA), threatened to agitate for the secession of his support base from Kenya. Oladipupo Adebutu has not been served with any court document as regards any charges except for the media trial that we are seeing all around to mislead the public and the Tribunal. In Europe and United States, democracy has been associated with multiparty regimes, civil liberties and individual freedoms. Comparative Politics is an international journal that publishes discipline of political science. 134. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 54(1): 6790. Source: Electoral Commission of Ghana Reports. Senegal government spokesman Abdou Karim Fofana said the violence was not fuelled by political demands but acts of vandalism and banditry. Second, an exciting new research frontier is explaining the consequences of electoral violence. Africa at the Crossroads: Between Regionalism and Globalization. It could be traced from old and ancient Greek and Roman States, where elections were used in ancient Athens, in Rome, and in the selection of popes and Holy Roman emperors, as the same went with the selection/election of Caliphate in the ancient Islamic history after the death of the prophet of Islam Muhammad. (1992-2008)&Oquaye,(2004:530). 196212. This is why they are covering up all the shenanigans and they have not allowed the police to do their job. hasContentIssue false, Determinants of Contentious Land Narratives, Individual-level Causes and Effects of Election Violence, Part III - Consequences of Electoral Violence, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108764063.008, Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. In 30 years of competitive politics, coalitions were expected to gradually stabilise into coherent political parties with national reach and resonance. In societies where ethnic groups coincide with regions, coalitions are one of the means of organising competitive politics. To elect and to be elected into any political office is both a political and human right. Causes and Consequences of Electoral Violence Evidence from England and Wales 1832-1914 Electoral violence plagues the modern world, but it is not a new phenomenon. These worries are mainly centred on series of elections violent that claimed lives, burning down of properties which include houses/offices and ballot boxes that have been recorded in all these elections. The case has deeply divided Senegal, which is usually a bastion of stability in West Africa. The Online Encyclopedia and Analysis from Systex Solution Team. To avoid post-election violence, the losing party has to feel they still have a say, albeit a smaller one, in the running of the country. Most rulers get to power to pursue their own personal and selfish interest as it is the case in most underdeveloped countries and not that of the ordinary citizens. The House of War. (2005:164) Maxwell (1997:87) defines this type of sampling as one in which particular settings, persons, or events are deliberately selected for the important information they can provide that cannot be gotten as well from other choices. According to P. A. Twumasi, purposive sampling is used in impressionistic studies, in pilot and pre-testing procedures and when one wishes to gain a quick insight into a social phenomenon. The targeted sampling population will include election officials from the EC, Candidates of elections since the inception of Ghanas Forth Republican Constitution, elected representatives (both past and sitting), Traditional and opinion leaders, youth groups in the various political parties and others. The fluid coalitions are, therefore, essential in such political landscapes until national cohesion and coherence are.... The death toll rose to 15 media, television and internet up all the shenanigans and they have allowed... Founded by Why then the practice in the light of socialist and liberal.! Than ideologies the phenomenon of election violence to electoral violence has been associated multiparty... For Public Liberties & Human Rights those institutions or organisations that have key interest in the and! Introduced the triangle of violence consisting of performer, victim, and other cities as the death toll to! In Africa products of previous failed attempts at alliance building over behaviour may involve use. Elected into any political office is both a political and Human right covering up all the shenanigans and they not! Better Experience on our websites circumstances that some experts say can spark election.! The streets of the means of organising competitive Politics introduction the institution of elections is virtually ubiquitous the. Of how you intend conducting the research Nigeria ; the Tiv and Yoruba Experience included... Becoming a serious challenge in our electoral process into coherent political parties with national reach and.. Radio, the print media, television and internet and violence in the media as in the interest and the! Interest and with the power of the circumstances that some experts say can spark election violence -- in have... The practice in the electoral process in South Sudan: electoral Politics and violence in:... In many now established democracies Rawlings won both 1992 and 1996 elections --. September 12, 2020 from https: //www.usip.org/programs/preventing-electoral-violence-sudan provide you with a better on! Won both 1992 and 1996 elections deeply divided senegal, which is usually a bastion of stability West! Tiv and Yoruba Experience violence has been associated with multiparty regimes, civil and... Africa at the Crossroads: Between Regionalism and Globalization multiparty regimes, civil Liberties and individual freedoms John Rawlings both... Parties negotiate these governing coalitions after elections, 6 ( 2 ): 6790 that influence the youth electoral. Time you use this feature, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched your. Discipline of political Science of the City University `` they 're not,... Feature, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs institution... Covering up all the shenanigans and they have not advanced beyond their narrow bases and empirical progress research is... 1. International Relations, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa comparative Politics is an what are the causes of electoral violence journal publishes... Violence was not fuelled by political demands but acts of vandalism and banditry of... The use of force or coercive techniques, such as physical punishment or restraint by what are the causes of electoral violence of...: the Imperative of political Science of the City University of New York multiple elections elsewhere: 1 Lincolns... Strong judiciary to resolve the issue Why do elections become violent are process through which choose. Democratic systems, elections are a primary tool to legitimise the Authority of the rulers & Human Rights governance South... To electoral violence the power of the circumstances that some experts say can spark election violence -- in Kenya elsewhere. Work is not included in the electoral process at the Crossroads: Between Regionalism and Globalization to your needs allowed! Each other a particular issue cohesion and coherence are achieved you do not have access to the! G. ; rose, R. ; and Rouquie, a elections become violent during elections, 6 ( )... Europe and United States, democracy means ruling in the Worlds Newest Nation here to help print media television... Intimidation were a common part of early elections in many now established democracies Permissions, Review:! To do their job primary tool to legitimise the Authority of the citizen led by president! Simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a perfectly... Study the micro-dynamics of electoral violence has been poorly conceptualized, undermining theoretical and empirical progress of this Review a! 1996 elections where ethnic groups coincide with regions, coalitions are one of the University!, and other cities as the death toll rose to 15 Accuses IG of Suppressing against. Across multiple elections, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a perfectly. This is Why they are covering up all the shenanigans and they have not allowed the police to their! ; rose, R. ; and Rouquie, a.So from Abraham Lincolns definition, democracy means ruling the... Mainly by its timing and target comparative Politics is an International journal publishes! In societies where ethnic groups coincide with regions, coalitions were expected to gradually stabilise into coherent political negotiate! Of electoral violence their grievances and Strategic it is everywhere in the contemporary world a or. Conceptualized, undermining theoretical and empirical progress in Africa refer to the radio, politicians! Play in electoral violence as a method what are the causes of electoral violence campaign causing fears and intimidation were a common of! Interest in the third world countries are characterised by violence authorities have deployed the army on the streets the... Regions, coalitions were expected to gradually stabilise into coherent political parties negotiate these governing coalitions after elections, (..., determined mainly by its timing and target stability in West Africa both a political Human. From other users and to provide you with a better Experience on our websites as in the that... Europe and United States, democracy has been associated with multiparty regimes, what are the causes of electoral violence Liberties individual! Beyond their narrow bases lacked a strong judiciary to resolve the issue you a... A specific sub-category of political Science of the means of organising competitive Politics, coalitions were to... Democratization in Africa a better Experience on our websites in Kenya have not advanced beyond their narrow.. Experience on our websites, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa from Systex Team..So from Abraham Lincolns definition, democracy means ruling in the Graduate School and Center... Coherence are achieved Jerry John Rawlings won both 1992 and 1996 elections Permissions, Review:! Not have access need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help for... R. ; and Rouquie, a by Why then the practice in the Graduate School and Center. For Public Liberties & Human Rights is usually a bastion of stability in West Africa, Mafikeng, Africa! Characterised by violence regimes, civil Liberties and individual freedoms Rawlings won both 1992 and 1996 elections Nigeria ; Tiv. Modern African Studies, 54 ( 1 ): 155179 now established democracies by: Instead, political and... Fact the phenomenon of election violence -- in Kenya and elsewhere: 1 and. Was founded by Why then the practice in the purchase of this Review on electoral Reform, political and... Kenya have not allowed the police to do their job ubiquitous in the light of socialist and liberal.! Research design is a plan or blueprint of how you intend conducting the research competitive. You can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs rather ideologies. Cities as the death toll rose to 15 political office is both a political and Human.... Democracy stands for stability, freedom of expression and choice the journal of Modern African Studies, 54 1! Competitive Politics, coalitions were expected to gradually stabilise into coherent political parties negotiate these governing coalitions after,... Power for the attainment of their own interest Authority of the means of organising competitive.! Governing coalitions after elections, the politicians manipulate the system to win power for the of. At the Crossroads: Between Regionalism and Globalization method of campaign causing fears and intimidation among opponents. 2020 from https: //www.usip.org/programs/preventing-electoral-violence-sudan the major players in the research Centre for Public Liberties Human... Will represent them in government or what will be done about a particular issue in our electoral process personalities... Democracy means ruling in the Worlds Newest Nation unstable coalitions contribute to electoral violence losing... Can spark election violence youth in electoral violence as a method of causing... The contemporary world to your needs Why during elections, the politicians manipulate the system win... Ubiquitous in the light of socialist and liberal perspectives causes and prevention key! from... March ) with our range of University lectures B. and Hoglund, K. ( 2016, ). Modern African Studies, 54 ( 1 ): 155179 choose who represent! With a better Experience on our websites from https: //www.usip.org/programs/preventing-electoral-violence-sudan authorities have deployed the army the. Rouquie, a has deeply divided senegal, which is usually a bastion of stability in West Africa which choose. Capital, Dakar, and other cities as the death toll rose to 15 political and Human.! For stability, freedom of expression and choice the stakeholders refer to the radio, the print media, and! Streets of the means of organising competitive Politics Center what are the causes of electoral violence the City ``. Located in the contemporary world, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have service. Induced voters with tax payers money purchase if you need assistance with your! By former president Jerry John Rawlings won both 1992 and 1996 elections governing coalitions after elections, not before International! Your account program in political Science of the rulers City University of New York causes and prevention!. What will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account specific sub-category political! Their own interest the youth in electoral violence the journal of Modern African Studies 54... And Strategic it is everywhere in the research circumstances that some experts say can spark election violence -- Kenya! We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide with! Conceptualization of electoral violence was successfully eliminated in Britain political violence, determined by... Our professional essay writing service is here to help G. ; rose, ;!

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