Africa 2011 - Morgan Tsvangirai

TL;DR

Obstacles to fair elections in Africa include lack of paradigm shifts, coercion, fraudulent mechanisms, state interference, biased media, and diminishing voter confidence.

Transcript

Question: What obstacles do you see preventing fair elections in Africa? Given my experience in Zimbabwe, I think the obstacles range from lack of paradigm shifts on the basis that what is an election? Some people think that an election is to confirm people who are already the incumbents rather than the give the people the right to choose. So you ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Lack of paradigm shifts in viewing elections as a means for incumbents to confirm rather than the people to choose.
• 🔉 Institutionalized interference through coercion, intimidation, violence, and state-sponsored media manipulation erodes voter confidence.
• 🌐 Multilateral support needed for improving electoral commissions' resources, training, and technical support to uphold global standards.

Questions & Answers

Q: What obstacles hinder fair elections in Africa?

Fair elections in Africa face obstacles like lack of paradigm shifts, coercion, fraudulent mechanisms, state interference, biased media, and diminishing voter confidence, undermining the electoral process.

Q: How can multilateral bodies support the progress of democracy in Africa?

Multilateral bodies can support progress by enhancing the institutional capacity, providing resources, training, technical support, and upholding global election standards to promote fair and transparent elections in Africa.

Q: What is the objective of meeting with other leaders in Cape Town?

The meeting aims to address misperceptions and root causes of governance crises in Zimbabwe, focusing on issues like mis-governance, breakdown of the rule of law, selective application of laws, independence of the judiciary, and free media.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Elections in Africa face obstacles like paradigm shifts, coercion, fraudulent mechanisms, state interference, biased media, and voter confidence issues.

• Multilateral bodies can support progress by enhancing institutional capacity, resources, training, and global understanding of election standards.

• Meeting with other leaders aims to address misperceptions and root causes of governance crises in Zimbabwe.