Publication date
29/02/2016

Book size
244 x 170 mm

Language
English

ISBN
978-1-920677-97-8

Election Management Bodies in East Africa

By Alexander B Makulilo, Eugène Ntaganda Francis Ang’ila Away, Margaret Sekaggya & Patrick Osodo

The management of elections is increasingly generating impassioned debate in these East African nations – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The bodies that manage and conduct elections are, therefore, coming under intense citizen and stakeholder scrutiny for the manner in which they are composed, how they organise and perform their mandates, and the outcomes they achieve.

The effectiveness of electoral management bodies (EMBs) has largely been influenced by the impact of political violence on election management reforms in East Africa. Even in countries where EMBs are the products of reforms initiated in the aftermath of violent disputes over elections, they still face enormous challenges in dealing with electoral disputes and anticipating election-related crises. Although changes to constitutions and the laws in these countries have sought to make EMBs independent and, therefore, more inclined to deliver free, fair and credible elections, there are many issues that determine their impartiality and their ability to allow for the aggregation and free expression of the will of the people. These shortcomings negatively impact on democracy.

This volume assembles case studies on the capacity of EMBs in these five East African countries to deliver democratic and transparent elections.

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Table of contents

List of tables and figures | List of boxes | Abbreviations and acronyms | Preface

Introduction

1 Overview

A. Introduction

B. Models of EMBs

C. Colonial legacy

D. Violence and election management reforms

E. Membership of EMBs and the appointment of commissioners

F. Independence and effectiveness

G. Common challenges to electoral management

H. EMBs and the East African Community

I. Conclusion

J. Options for reforming electoral management

2 Burundi – Eugène Ntaganda

A. Summary

B. Historical and political context

C. The National Independent Electoral Commission

D. Funding of elections

E. Management of electoral disputes

F. A critical assessment of election management in Burundi

G. Pre-2015 debate on electoral reform

H. Recommendations

3 Kenya – Francis A. Aywa

A. Summary

B. Political development and electoral history

C. Evolution of election management reforms

D. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission

E. Election observation and monitoring

F. Funding of elections

G. Management of electoral disputes

H. A critical assessment of election management in Kenya

I. Recommendations

4 Rwanda – Patrick Osodo

A. Summary

B. History and politics of elections

C. Legal framework for elections in post-genocide Rwanda

D. The National Electoral Commission

E. Funding of elections

F. Management of electoral disputes

G. A critical assessment of election management in Rwanda

H. Electoral management and the debate on democratic reforms

I. Recommendations

5 Tanzania – Alexander B. Makulilo

A. Summary

B. Political history

C. Election management bodies

D. Funding of elections

E. Management of electoral disputes

F. EMB relations with other actors

G. A critical assessment of election management in Tanzania

H. Constitutional review and reform of EMBs

I. Conclusions

J. Recommendations

6 Uganda – Margaret Sekaggya

A. Summary

B. Political history of elections

C. Legal framework for the Electoral Commission

D. Management of electoral disputes

E. Financing the EC

F. A critical assessment of election management in Uganda

G. Conclusion

H. Recommendations

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