5 Most Rigged Elections in Africa’s History

Rigged elections are a major problem in Africa as a result of they undermine the democratic course of. 

It’s because the integrity of election processes is a vital consider sustaining democratic norms and making certain the voice of the individuals is genuinely heard.

On this article, we spotlight 5 elections which have confronted vital allegations of rigging, casting a highlight on the controversies and irregularities which have marred these electoral processes.

1927 Liberia Basic Election

This election was so rigged that it made it into the Guinness E-book of World Information as probably the most fraudulent election ever reported in historical past. The incumbent president, Charles D.B. King, gained the election with 240,000 votes, whereas his opponent, Thomas J. Faulkner, obtained solely 9,000 votes. 

In accordance with stories, the variety of registered voters was lower than 15,000. The election was accompanied by widespread allegations of voter fraud, as Faulkner accused members of the True Whig Celebration authorities of utilizing slave labour at house and promoting slaves to the Spanish colony of Fernando Po, and involving the Military within the electoral course of.

2008 Zimbabwe Basic Election

That is one other election that was described by Human Rights Watch as “deeply flawed.” The election pitted incumbent Robert Mugabe in opposition to opposition chief Morgan Tsvangirai. After the elections, no official outcomes had been introduced for greater than a month.

It was later reported that Tsvangirai gained 47.9% of the vote and Mugabe 43.2%, necessitating a run-off. Forward of the runoff, supporters of Mugabe and Tsvangirai perpetrated violence a lot that Tsvangirai introduced that he was withdrawing from the race.

Tsvangirai who described the run-off as a “Violent sham” stated that his supporters risked being killed in the event that they voted for him. The run-off went on with out Tsvangirai and Mugabe was declared the winner as the one taking part candidate.

2011 Democratic Republic of the Congo Basic Election

One other election marred by irregularities is the 2011 Congo election between Etienne Tshisekedi and President Kabila. Reviews from worldwide organisations such because the United Nations and the European Union held that the elections had been held underneath troublesome situations.

Tshisekedi reportedly declared himself as President claiming that almost all of the individuals turned in opposition to President Kabila. Kabila who was main with 4.9 million votes, allegedly ceased all e mail and SMS providers nationwide. Tshisekedi trailed behind with 3.4 million votes.

It was additionally alleged that over 5,000,000 poll papers had been pre-ticked for Kabila.

2007 Kenya Basic Election

The 2007 Kenya Basic elections between Incumbent Mwai Kibaki, Celebration of Nationwide Unity (PNU), Raila Odinga, Orange Democratic Motion (ODM) and Kalonzo Musyoka Orange Democratic Motion–Kenya had been strongly marked by ethnic hostility. That is as Kibaki was declared the winner with 46% of the vote and sworn in at State Home whereas Raila Odinga additionally claimed victory.

Odinga’s victory declare led to civil unrest that resulted within the deaths of a number of hundred individuals and the displacement of many. To revive peace, the Nationwide Accord and Reconciliation Act appointed Odinga as Prime Minister.

2007 Nigeria Basic Election

Election observers from the European Union described this election because the worst they’d ever seen anyplace on this planet. This was as a result of the election was allegedly characterised by “rampant vote rigging, violence, theft of poll containers and intimidation.”

The election had Umaru Yar’Adua of the ruling Individuals’s Democratic Celebration (PDP), Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Celebration (ANPP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Motion Congress as presidential candidates. Earlier than the elections started, there was an alleged try in Bayelsa State to kill Goodluck Jonathan, who’s the PDP vice-presidential candidate.

There have been calls that the presidential election be postponed, that INEC be disbanded, and that the sooner elections be annulled. Poll papers which had been saved in South Africa to forestall tampering didn’t arrive within the nation until the night of the election day.

The outcomes of the imperfect election weren’t clearly said as they didn’t disclose the overall votes scored within the states or the odds of the scores by the presidential candidates. Nevertheless, Umaru Yar’Adua was declared the winner of the election.

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