Elections are pivotal in the political and social development of any nation, serving as a mechanism for political transformation and succession. They provide legitimacy to those elected and offer a means for citizen participation in the democratic process, allowing voters to choose their leaders and hold them accountable for their performance in office. Elections also play a crucial role in avoiding violent confrontations over issues of succession in liberal democratic systems. Despite their importance, election violence remains a critical issue in many democracies, undermining the electoral process and political stability.
It should come as no surprise that electoral disputes can sometimes lead to violence or even conflict. There is a delicate balance between peace and war during elections, as these events are highly competitive and often involve intense struggles for power, resources, and decision-making authority. Political candidates frequently employ rhetoric that can incite partisans and potentially lead to violence. Those who commit election violence often do so to manipulate the electoral process for their own gain.
Before delving deeper into the discussion, it is important to define election violence. According to Rakesh Sharma and Lisa Kammeud in their book Election Violence: Causes, Trends, and Mitigation, election violence includes any harm or threat of harm to individuals or property involved in the election process, or to the process itself, during the election period. This encompasses not only physical harm but also intimidation, verbal threats, and the destruction of campaign materials. Even the theft of election ballots is considered an instance of election violence, regardless of whether individuals are harmed.
In a notable article from the Daily Observer titled “The Need to Amend Some Electoral Laws and Restructure the NEC,” several key issues requiring reform were highlighted. Unfortunately, these recommendations were largely ignored, and the material was not thoroughly reviewed. This neglect contributed to the challenges experienced during the August 23, 2011, referendum in Liberia, which had repercussions across West Africa. One suggestion was to conduct referendums a year before elections or postpone them until after the 2017 elections. This would have prevented the wastage of ten million United States dollars in taxpayer and donor funds, similar to the issues faced during voter registration in Ghana amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the suggested reforms were:
Changing the process for appointing election commissioners.
Establishing a special election court dedicated solely to electoral matters to address cases swiftly.
Creating a civic education commission responsible for civic and political education and assisting the National Elections Commission (NEC) with electoral information dissemination. In Ghana, this commission could support the Electoral Commission (EC) in educating the public before and during elections.
Election violence is a complex issue requiring specific strategies and legal approaches for effective prevention, mitigation, and resolution. Ignoring the seriousness of election crises can result in severe consequences for the electoral body, the government, and the public. For instance, the 2007 Kenyan presidential election violence resulted in over 1,500 deaths and approximately 3,000 injuries. While the Liberian National Police’s Memorandum of Understanding with political parties in 2011 aimed to prevent violence, more comprehensive multi-stakeholder approaches are needed. Success in democratic elections relies on the cooperation of political actors, government agencies, civic groups, media, and the justice system.
As all sectors of society have a stake in the outcome of elections, they also share the responsibility of maintaining electoral integrity. When an electoral process is perceived as unfair or corrupt, its legitimacy is compromised, prompting stakeholders to seek alternative methods to achieve their goals.
Gabrielle Bardall, a research officer at the F. Clifton White Applied Research Center for Democracy and Elections in the U.S., emphasizes that election planning should be cyclical rather than event-driven. Her conflict cycle perspective on electoral violence includes four phases:
Conflict Analysis: Studying the causes and patterns of election violence, using tools like risk assessment methodologies and conflict mapping.
Conflict Prevention: Implementing best practices and regulatory measures to ensure election integrity, such as transparent procedures and inclusive participation.
Conflict Management and Mitigation: Developing security plans and training for managing electoral security issues, such as crowd control and tension management.
Conflict Resolution: Utilizing both formal and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to address electoral disputes effectively.
To address these challenges, the IPAC Peace Council, civic organizations, the media, and the international community must develop strategies to predict, preempt, and resolve conflicts. The upcoming election is critical to Ghana’s democracy and stability, and the extensive resources invested in the peace process by the international community must not be squandered.
Story By: Alexander Kukah
