The institution responsible for electoral management is called electoral management body. They are solely responsible for organising an election with the assistance of other government bodies, most importantly, the Police. This paper aimed at making a comparative analysis of the different systems (Nigeria and Cameroon) of election management through institutions called Electoral Commissions. A qualitative study, data were sourced from secondary sources. The study tried to identify some trends.
In the word of Fukuyama (1992), democracy is the “endpoint of man’s ideological evolution”. At the end of Cold War, the world saw transition of hitherto authoritarian military/ monarchical states to democracy. Between 1990 and 1994, about thirty of one forty-one African states that had not held multiple party elections did so. Eligible citizens expressed their right to air their opinion through voting on who they so desire to govern them. It is not only in national elections that voting has a special importance, but also in many institutions, private and public domains. As experience has shown so far in many of these countries, elections become not day activity, rather they are complex set of activities with different variables that act and feed on one another.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Conceptual Review
Theoretical Framework
Discussion and Findings
Statutes of Electoral Commissions
What kind of judgment can be made on all these different systems?
Tenure of members and duration of the Commission
Operations of Electoral Commissions
Financial System
Evaluating the experiences of Electoral Commissions
Conclusion and recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of electoral management systems in Nigeria and Senegal, focusing on how different Electoral Commissions operate, their structural compositions, and their respective challenges in ensuring free and fair elections.
- Comparative analysis of Electoral Commission statutes.
- Evaluation of organizational structures and operational frameworks.
- Assessment of institutional tenure and financial systems.
- Investigation into electoral crises and the legitimacy of management bodies.
- Proposals for strengthening electoral integrity in West Africa.
Excerpt from the Book
Statutes of Electoral Commissions
The statutes of Electoral Commissions have some similar characteristics and differences that stem from the history of democratization of each country, its legal tradition and the balance of the political forces which gave rise to the establishment of the Electoral Commissions. The mode of appointment of the members of the Commissions and the duration of their functions will be examined (Altan, 2018).
The method of arrangement of the individuals from the Commissions and the length of their capacities will be analyzed. In Senegal, members of the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) must be autonomous disapproved of people, obviously of Senegalese ethnicity, or more all, known for their political impartiality. Contradictions which are found in the greater part of the laws of different nations are even expressed in the law. Therefore, an individual from Government, a sitting Magistrate, an individual from bureau, a chosen political official, and an individual from a care group to a gathering will not be individuals from the EMBs or its branches. Essentially, top functionaries of the regional organization (Governors, Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of nearby governments, territories) are rejected from being individuals from the Electoral Commission. Senegal is by each exact stance, seen as choosing a "non-politicized EMB (Hounkpe & Fall, 2011).
Chapter Summaries
Abstract: Provides an overview of the study, noting that while electoral management bodies in Nigeria and Senegal differ in composition and finance, both struggle to conduct free and fair elections.
Introduction: Explores the theoretical context of democracy and elections, highlighting the shift from authoritarianism to multi-party systems in Africa and the critical role of election management.
Methodology: Outlines the qualitative research approach, utilizing secondary sources such as books, journals, and articles for content and textual analysis.
Conceptual Review: Defines the core concepts of elections and the administrative complexity involved in election management bodies.
Theoretical Framework: Applies New Institutionalism Theory to examine how institutional structures and rules influence the behavior and efficacy of electoral commissions.
Discussion and Findings: Compares the legal and operational realities of electoral commissions in Nigeria and Senegal, addressing structural differences and challenges.
Statutes of Electoral Commissions: Analyzes the legal frameworks governing the appointment and independence of commission members in both countries.
What kind of judgment can be made on all these different systems?: Reflects on the procedural challenges and political risks associated with how electoral commissions are structured.
Tenure of members and duration of the Commission: Contrasts the appointment terms and institutional continuity of electoral commissions in Senegal and Nigeria.
Operations of Electoral Commissions: Examines the organizational charts, prerogatives, and administrative roles of the commissions.
Financial System: Compares how electoral bodies are funded and how financial dependence can impact their operational autonomy.
Evaluating the experiences of Electoral Commissions: Discusses the successes and failures of these institutions in managing electoral crises and building public confidence.
Conclusion and recommendations: Offers final reflections and suggests strategies to improve electoral integrity through better planning and institutional strengthening.
Keywords
Electoral Management, Nigeria, Senegal, Democracy, Electoral Commissions, Institutionalism, Voting Rights, Election Administration, Political Stability, Governance, Electoral Integrity, Comparative Analysis, Voter Registration, Political Parties, Rule Implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work provides a comparative analysis of how electoral management bodies (EMBs) in Nigeria and Senegal are structured, funded, and operated to ensure the integrity of democratic elections.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include institutional design, the legal statutes of electoral commissions, the influence of political regimes, financial independence, and the challenges of managing electoral processes in the West African context.
What is the main research question of the study?
The study aims to understand how the institutional configuration and management of electoral bodies in Nigeria and Senegal impact the credibility and fairness of their respective election outcomes.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a qualitative research methodology based on secondary data analysis, collecting and interpreting information from academic journals, government documents, and scholarly books.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the legal frameworks (statutes) of electoral commissions, tenure of their members, organizational operations, funding mechanisms, and an assessment of past electoral experiences in both countries.
Which keywords define this paper best?
The work is characterized by terms such as Electoral Management, Institutionalism, Democratic Governance, Electoral Integrity, and Comparative Analysis.
How do the electoral commissions in Nigeria and Senegal differ in their appointment processes?
In Senegal, members are selected with an emphasis on political impartiality and the exclusion of specific political functionaries, whereas in Nigeria, the process involves a 'joint choice' model requiring confirmation by the Senate.
What role does the Ministry of the Interior play in the Senegalese system?
The Ministry of the Interior holds significant power in Senegal, as it is responsible for the actual association and material organization of elections, whereas the electoral commission (ANEC) focuses primarily on administrative and monitoring duties.
Why is financial independence considered a challenge for these commissions?
The research notes that if commissions are financially reliant on the state without clear protections, government authorities may limit funding to exert influence or interfere with the electoral process.
- Citar trabajo
- Tomiwa Ogunrinde (Autor), 2020, A Comparative Analysis of Electoral Management in Nigeria and Senegal, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1036919
