Electoral management and democratic governance in Southern Africa

This article surveys the electoral management practices in Southern Africa. With the advent of multiparty elections, the general administrative model in the region has been the creation of independent electoral commissions. Thus far, most countries in the region have achieved relative success with this approach. However, successful elections also rely on a host of political and administrative processes that while procedurally correct, may not result in well-conducted elections or even acceptance of the results by electoral stakeholders. On a broader scale, even administrative and procedural 'success' may fail to satisfy demands for more popular, rather than merely procedural, participation in the political process. Nevertheless, there are many positive commonalities in the region, and these achievements suggest that most political parties and their supporters value these elements of the multiparty electoral process.