Lessons from Kenya
Friday, September 08, 2017
The decision is the first time presidential elections in Africa have ever been nullified and even globally, the ruling is among a few similar decisions globally. There are very sound reasons why such decisions are not common globally and particularly in Africa, a continent generally struggling with the institutionalisation of democracy and sound governance. Across Africa, ruling political parties often entrench themselves in power by subsuming or suppressing the other estates of government, broadly being the legislature, the judiciary and the press.
Of these estates, the legislature can be captured simply through majority and subsequent constitutional amendments, while the press can be equally muzzled through laws, intimidation, inundation with litigation, drowning out with state media among many means. It is the judiciary that is the last line of defence for democracy and as a result, the first target of autocratic ruling elites.
The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...