ELECTORAL INTEGRITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: UNPACKING THE TENSIONS BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS, ELECTORAL POLITICS, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Human rights violence during armed conflict is no longer a novel incidence in Africa. It has become an evil consequence of any armed conflict though more pronounced in Africa. Violation of human rights during election process is however what appears indignant and abnormal for any democratic regime that is emerging. Every election year in African nations records casualties of human rights violations before, during and after electoral process. What is responsible for this ill in Africa and what implication does violation of rights in election process portend for African nations? Relying on findings made from pragmatic researches done by way of doctrinal and quantitative analysis, this paper addresses the situation of violence recorded about human rights during election period, discuss the multiplier effects it has on any growing democracy in Africa and provides useful recommendations. It further examines the role of some of the entities whose activities results in violation of the rights of the citizens during electoral process, its implication for a growing democracy. It concludes by providing a useful guide for a holistic law reform of the substantive law on crime as well as laws establishing the relevant law enforcement agencies in Africa