Are foreign election observers necessary
23rd August 2007
Election observation is meant to help countries to develop adequate internal capacity to conduct free and fair elections at regular intervals and systematically move towards good governance. Observing elections by international and local observers has now evolved into another major instrument for me
Frank Nabwiso
Election observation is meant to help countries to develop adequate internal capacity to conduct free and fair elections at regular intervals and systematically move towards good governance. Observing elections by international and local observers has now evolved into another major instrument for measuring progress towards democratic practices.
Ghana opened the door 50 years ago and all African countries are now independent. However, when colonisation ended, many of the new leaders became power hungry, sectarian, corrupt and ruthless to their own kith and kin, and refused to use their newly acquired power to promote peace, harmony, patriotism, social justice, democracy, African values and economic prosperity for all. Holding free, fair and regular elections became anathema to them.
The rise of dictatorial one-party rule and brutal military regimes also persisted in some Sub-Saharan states up to the end of the 20th Century, thus justification for international election observation.
It is not possible to exclude Sub-Saharan states from the struggle for good governance found elsewhere in the world. Good governance is the key to upholding the basic human rights of everyone regardless of one’s race, religion, sex, nationality and status in society. Good governance also encourages individuals to develop and utilise their potential to the maximum and to enhance socio-economic development for all. Good governance is usually achieved through free, fair and regular elections.
This is why those African leaders who want to hang on to power at all costs or who want to appoint their own successors should be exposed through organising credible elections in their countries. African leaders should also not be allowed to appoint underqualified persons to conduct elections.
Additionally, the presence of election observers, especially in remote rural areas, is increasing confidence even among the illiterate voters that the rest of the world is watching to see whether they will vote freely for the candidates of their own choice. Thus ordinary voters are being helped to understand that their elections are of interest to other nations.
The writer is the former
MP for Kagoma, currently
serving as an observer in
Sierra Leone.
Election observation is meant to help countries to develop adequate internal capacity to conduct free and fair elections at regular intervals and systematically move towards good governance. Observing elections by international and local observers has now evolved into another major instrument for measuring progress towards democratic practices.
Ghana opened the door 50 years ago and all African countries are now independent. However, when colonisation ended, many of the new leaders became power hungry, sectarian, corrupt and ruthless to their own kith and kin, and refused to use their newly acquired power to promote peace, harmony, patriotism, social justice, democracy, African values and economic prosperity for all. Holding free, fair and regular elections became anathema to them.
The rise of dictatorial one-party rule and brutal military regimes also persisted in some Sub-Saharan states up to the end of the 20th Century, thus justification for international election observation.
It is not possible to exclude Sub-Saharan states from the struggle for good governance found elsewhere in the world. Good governance is the key to upholding the basic human rights of everyone regardless of one’s race, religion, sex, nationality and status in society. Good governance also encourages individuals to develop and utilise their potential to the maximum and to enhance socio-economic development for all. Good governance is usually achieved through free, fair and regular elections.
This is why those African leaders who want to hang on to power at all costs or who want to appoint their own successors should be exposed through organising credible elections in their countries. African leaders should also not be allowed to appoint underqualified persons to conduct elections.
Additionally, the presence of election observers, especially in remote rural areas, is increasing confidence even among the illiterate voters that the rest of the world is watching to see whether they will vote freely for the candidates of their own choice. Thus ordinary voters are being helped to understand that their elections are of interest to other nations.
The writer is the former
MP for Kagoma, currently
serving as an observer in
Sierra Leone.