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Challenges facing robust election observation persist

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Prof Kealeboga Maphunye (LinkedIn) is the inaugural WIPHOLD-Brigalia Bam Chair in Electoral Democracy in Africa at the University of South Africa (UNISA). The Leaders of Africa Project represented by Peter Penar recently spoke to him.

In part one of the interview, Maphunye explains that he came to work on elections when he joined South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The HSRC was undertaking research on public perceptions about satisfaction with elections and representation in democratic South Africa. This compelled him to apply his interest in public administration and bureaucratic politics to a burgeoning research agenda in election management.

Beyond academic pursuits, Maphunye has contributed directly to election assistance and support for election management. He has consistently worked with election observation missions to do more than complete a simple checklist or merely engage in “electoral tourism”. Yet, challenges facing robust election observation persist.

As a close observer of election management, Maphunye suggests that best practices of election management are disseminating, including the implementation of technologies in elections. However, worst practices also threaten to hurt gains. He mentions controls on the internet and communication and election-related violence as troubling trends in some African countries.

Listen to the podcast here or watch the interview on YouTube.

*Interview summary provided by the Leaders of Africa Project

The Leaders of Africa Project is an independent and non-partisan collaborative that conducts research on the opinions and experiences of thought leaders. They seek to understand leadership and how thought leader communities function across African countries.

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Publish date: 2017-07-07 00:00:00.0

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