Browsing by Author "Nyamanga, Jestas Abuok"

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    The relevance of international election observation in Africa: a case study of the 1992 and 1997 general elections in Kenya
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2001) Nyamanga, Jestas Abuok
    International Election Observation is a contentious issue in contemporarily international relations. While Donor-Countries and the International Community consider International Election Observation as a means for enhancing free and fair election in Africa, its relevance in terms of practicability remain a paradox. At its core, this study attempts to explore whether or not such a mission is a legal, viable as well as helpful practice in enhancing free and fair elections in Africa. Principal findings of the study denote that, while international election observations possess legal justification, it is neither a viable nor helpful practice in enhancing free and fair elections in Africa. Having a tendency of arriving in a host country just a few days before polling day and closing the observation missions before final results are announced and electoral disputes are settled, a lot of immense logistical problems pass unnoticed and unaddressed. Findings further show that even in a situation where massive electoral irregularities have been noted, international election observers tend to be unwilling to come out boldly in interpreting the field findings. Most of the time their conclusions are not based on verifiable let alone being able to bring up as factual evidence of the electoral process. The study concludes that election observation as a long-term process is better left to independent, impartial and empowered domestic monitors except in circumstances where the international community was already engaged in disputes settlement and where they can monitor the whole electoral process extensively.