Panel 63: Parties and Elections in Sub-Saharan Africa

During the third wave of democratization, the institution of multiparty elections spread throughout the African continent. With the exception of a few cases, most African countries do nowadays hold elections with at least some degree of political competition. Nevertheless, few of these countries arrange elections corresponding to international democratic standards. Electoral misconduct is common and the electoral playing field is often tilted in favour of the incumbent regime. An important obstacle to the creation of a more competitive arena of political contestation is the absence of an effective opposition. Ethnical division, poor organization, and inability to match the incumbent regime in terms of economic patronage is just a few examples of problems burdening the political opposition in many African countries.

The panel will discuss topics related to parties and elections in Sub-Saharan Africa. The panel invites scholars interested in different countries and areas of the African continent, using varying methodological tools and studying the topic from a case study or a comparative perspective.