Assessing the Role of International Election Observation in Enhancing Democracy in Africa: A Comparative Study of the 2012 Election in Ghana and the 2017 Elections in Kenya

Abstract

Election observation has become a feature of democratic elections in most parts of the world as well as a key indicator of the credibility of elections. Consequently, continental, regional and sub-regional bodies have moved to form their own groups to observe and, in some instances, monitor elections in countries within their regions. Notwithstanding the relevance of election observation missions, there have been criticisms relating to the extent to which the actions of such missions enhance democracy in Africa. Using the 2012 and 2017 elections in Ghana and Kenya respectively, this study sought to examine the relevance of international elections observation missions in enhancing democracy in Ghana and Kenya. It was revealed that notwithstanding the generally positive contribution that election observation missions make to the electoral process and by extension democracy in African countries, there are a number of challenges that limit the contribution of the observation missions to democracy in the respective countries. These include deficit in the technology currently being deployed for elections around the continent and the technological competence deployed by observation missions. It was also revealed that the restrictive mandates granted to election observation missions by election management bodies in respective countries limits the extent of influence exerted by the observation missions on the democratic process of respective countries. Furthermore, it was noted that a high expectation gap arising out of a general misunderstanding of the populace about the function of observation missions relative to the mandates accorded such missions by the host country often affects public opinion of the contribution of observation missions to enhancing democracy in respective countries. The research questions were examined qualitatively using direct interviews, questionnaires and scholarly data. A review of literature was presented in line with the study objectives and research questions; and findings from the study were discussed in relation to the literature and framework that guided the study. The study recommended that to guarantee a positive contribution of international observation missions towards enhancing democracy in Africa, the above challenges ought to be comprehensively addressed through measures such as the co-optation of technologically competent personnel into missions and a reconsideration of the mandate of election observation missions by election management bodies in respective countries.