Odita Sunday 
Crooked Polls, Weak Institutions: How Flawed Elections Continue To Undermine Democracy In Africa, By HURIWA
Across Africa, elections meant to serve as the foundation of democratic governance are increasingly viewed by citizens and observers as deeply compromised exercises that often entrench incumbents rather than reflect the popular will.
The continent, made up of about 50 countries, has largely embraced multiparty democracy. However, Africa remains poorly rated for transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections.
Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, founder Human Rights writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), attributed this to the perception of political power as the fastest route to personal enrichment, enabled by weak economic structures, pliable legal systems and compromised electoral institutions.
In countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Uganda, elections are frequently accused of being manipulated by incumbent leaders seeking to retain power for themselves or impose preferred successors. This pattern of governance failure, observers argue, has contributed significantly to Africa’s persistent poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.
Nigeria’s 2023 Election Under Global Scrutiny
Nigeria’s 2023 general election has become a major reference point in discussions on electoral credibility in Africa. The poll, which produced the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winning party, was widely criticised by opposition parties and civil society groups, who alleged large-scale manipulation facilitated by the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judiciary, particularly the election petition tribunals and appellate courts, also came under intense criticism. Legal practitioners and political analysts described the adjudication process as unsatisfactory, raising fresh concerns about judicial independence in politically sensitive cases. The Supreme Court’s affirmation of the election outcome further deepened public mistrust and reportedly diminished Nigeria’s standing among international election observers.
A Familiar Pattern
Similar concerns have trailed elections in other African states. In Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara secured a fourth term following constitutional changes that effectively reset term limits. Despite lingering political tensions and opposition objections, Western governments and institutions appeared to prioritise economic stability and reform alignment over democratic accountability.
Uganda presents another stark example. President Yoweri Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, has continued to dominate the country’s political space amid allegations of repression, vote manipulation and harassment of opposition figures. International media, including Al Jazeera, reported incidents of internet shutdowns, delayed voting, heavy security presence and restrictions on journalists during recent elections.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has repeatedly warned that Uganda’s electoral processes are characterised by intimidation and repression, particularly against opposition supporters and youth-led movements.
Onwubiko argue that regional and continental institutions such as ECOWAS and the African Union have failed to hold leaders accountable, often endorsing disputed elections and legitimising flawed democratic processes.
In several West African states, disputed elections have triggered military coups, resulting in a resurgence of military rule across parts of the region.
Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Tanzania have also faced allegations of systematic electoral rigging, while South Africa is often cited as an exception where electoral processes are relatively more transparent.
He identify two major structural issues undermining elections in Africa:
Politicised electoral commissions, whose leadership is often appointed by incumbent presidents.
Compromised judiciaries, where judges are perceived as vulnerable to political influence and corruption.
These weaknesses, Onwubiko say, make elections vulnerable to fraud, malpractice and systemic manipulation.
As Nigeria prepares for another presidential election cycle, concerns are already mounting over early campaigning, alleged misuse of public funds, selective enforcement of electoral laws and the independence of INEC’s leadership.
HURIWA warn that without vigilance from citizens and institutions, the mistakes of 2023 could be repeated.
International standards, as outlined by organisations such as the Carter Center, emphasise that credible elections must be grounded in human rights, transparency, impartial administration and genuine competition. Many analysts believe these benchmarks remain largely unmet in several African democracies.
A Call For Civic Responsibility
Ultimately, the sustainability of democracy in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, depends not only on institutions but also on citizens’ willingness to resist apathy, vote-buying and political intimidation.
As debates over governance and electoral reform intensify, the central question remains: will Africans, and Nigerians in particular, demand credible elections that truly reflect the will of the people, or continue to accept a system widely viewed as compromised?
Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the Founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.
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