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- Convenors:
-
Robert Macdonald
(University of Edinburgh)
Thomas Molony (University of Edinburgh)
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- Stream:
- Politics and International Relations
- Location:
- Appleton Tower, Seminar Room 2.12
- Sessions:
- Wednesday 12 June, -
Time zone: Europe/London
Short Abstract:
This panel will critically engage with both domestic and international election observation on the African continent.
Long Abstract:
In the last three decades, the presence of both domestic and international election observers has become a point of continuity at elections in many African countries. As a result, since the 1990s, researchers have been investigating the efficacy and impact of observation in Africa. Among the issues which they have raised, several key themes can be highlighted: How effective are observers at detecting electoral fraud? Are they biased? Against which standards do they judge elections? How are they perceived in host countries? Does their presence lead to unintended consequences? This panel will accept paper proposals addressing these or any other associated questions, including those relating to digital technology. Papers can be single country case studies or take comparative approaches, and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are welcomed.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Wednesday 12 June, 2019, -Paper short abstract:
This paper explores election observation in post-conflict spaces. It uses data from the PA-X Peace Agreements Database to determine how election observation is built-in to peace agreements and it evaluates the network of actors involved in election observation and their impact on election processes.
Paper long abstract:
Election observation is becomingly increasingly standard as a tool to promote democratization but also as a tool to mitigate the potential for conflict. This paper explores the use of election observation by regional organizations and international diplomatic actors in post-conflict spaces. It draws on data from the PA-X Peace Agreements Database to determine how election observation is built-in to peace agreements to prevent the re-mergence of conflict. It then examines why regional and international institutions that are not technical experts in election processes are engaged in election observation, and it concludes with a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the increasingly vast network of actors involved in election observation and their impact on election processes.
Paper short abstract:
In many respects, Somaliland has established an impressive electoral record, with international observation missions attending each major post-2001 electoral event. This paper interrogates the purpose, effect and scope of these missions, with reference to elections in 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2017.
Paper long abstract:
Since a constitutional referendum in 2001, Somaliland has established an impressive electoral record, holding parliamentary (lower house), local council and presidential elections periodically between 2002 and 2017. International observation missions have been invited to attend each major electoral event, and have generally been well received. However, as the political space has become more hotly contested, so hard the role of international observers and the missions they participate in. In 2017 presidential elections, in particular, the political environment became heated in the election aftermath, and all the bodies associated with the election became targets for criticism. This paper interrogates the purpose, effect and scope of international election observation missions in Somaliland, with particular reference to those in 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2017. It will explore the space available for international observation missions to engage constructively with local political realities, and reflects on the contribution that can be made in an increasingly polarised political space.
Paper short abstract:
This paper re-examines international observation missions at the 2017 Kenyan elections in order to argue that, as a result of the media environment and popular expectations about observers' work, many commentators criticised them for the wrong reasons.
Paper long abstract:
Following the Supreme Court's decision to annul the August 2017 Kenyan elections, international election observation missions were widely criticised on the grounds that they had declared the election 'free and fair'. This paper argues that specific allegations of incompetence and bias fail to acknowledge how international observers' preliminary statements restrained from offering final verdicts or commenting upon the tallying process in which the problems emerged. Rather, due to a combination of the media environment and popular expectations about observers' work, the complexity of their statements was lost as their findings were disseminated. This suggests that a fairer critique of international observers would focus on how they communicate, including when they decide to make their statements. It also shows that both the circulation of information relating to observers and popular perceptions of observation missions are important issues, despite being relatively overlooked by scholars working on election observation.
Paper short abstract:
Election observation, if conducted according to international norms and standards, strengthens the credibility and legitimacy of electoral outcomes. Using Tanzania and Uganda, we examine the extent to which reforms that observers propose are taken into account in subsequent elections.
Paper long abstract:
Electoral observation has become an integral part of the democratic and electoral processes in Africa. International and local observers play important role in enhancing transparency and credibility of elections and acceptance of results in the continent. Moreover, proposals that are issued by observers are critical in improving the quality of future elections. Using Tanzania and Uganda, we examine the extent to which reforms that observers propose are taken into account in improving subsequent elections. We note that the proposed reforms in the two countries are by design not adequately implemented.