The challenges of managing elections in Africa

Elections are the key for good governance and hence development. The potentials of elections are however hindered by different wishes of various parties involved in the process of making elections possible summed up as challenges. Hence, this paper presents a discussion on the challenges of managing elections in Africa. The paper has utilized documentary and observation techniques due to the reason that the author is an elections management specialist. The first part provides a historical background on election and functions of elections in general. The second part reveals challenges of managing elections in Africa. It provides that challenges of elections management can be traced from various backgrounds of the elections stakeholders ranging from individuals to institutions. It also reveals that in order for elections to be conducted with merit, civic and voter education, which articulates the importance of electing competent leaders should be provided to the voters. The narrated challenges calls for training of the key elections stakeholders on important terms of elections including what constitute free and fair election, rationale for conducting elections, the independence of the election management body, benefits of elections, roles and responsibilities of elections stakeholders.