Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:International election observer missions and the promotion of democracy: some lessons from Nigeria's 2007 elections
Author:Obi, Cyril I.ISNI
Year:2008
Periodical:Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies
Volume:35
Issue:1
Pages:69-86
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:election monitoring
elections
2007
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02589340802113089
Abstract:This article explores the politics and policies that underpin election observation and monitoring, particularly as they relate to international assistance for democracy building and postconflict elections. Central to this is the nature of election observation, its linkages with democracy building, and a critical evaluation of its effectiveness as a contributory factor in advancing the democratic project in Africa. The paper draws upon the case of the April 2007 elections in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and largest oil exporter, that were widely held by international observers and local election monitors to be deeply flawed, but were upheld by the government without any international sanctions/reprisals. The paper illustrates some of the difficulties and contradictions that are embedded in the election observer mission 'industry' as a tool of the international community for providing legitimacy for the conduct of free and fair elections, but which in some cases result in 'acceptable' outcomes that are neither fully free nor fair. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
Views
Cover