Election Observers

Recent judgments in Kenya and Malawi are encouraging. But democratic reform is impossible unless presidents and electoral commissions play their part

Surveys shows that the majority of Africans prefer democracy, despite its flaws, to the alternatives

The release of the Khampepe report is a hollow victory if independent organisations do not change the way they monitor African elections in future.

Such ‘airport observers’ judge the freedom and fairness of the ballot from the luxury of the nearest hotel bar.

Guinea’s first free election since independence was met with praise and relief on Tuesday, but observers warned the days to come were crucial.