The Power of the Vote (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9789990876581)

The 2004 elections in Malawi were pivotal in the democratisation process of a country, which is undergoing enormous changes in its political landscape. The elections carried a message of democratic hope, however were not free of concern for the future of a stable democracy in the country: the 2004 elections were characterised by voter apathy, registering fewer voters than in 1999. The papers in this book comprise the proceedings of a non-partisan, academic conference, which took place in Malawi after the elections, in July 2004. They consider questions such as: the extent to which the people of the country were fully cognisant of their rights, responsibilities, and appreciated the power of the vote; the reasons for the reduced turnout, and whether or not this of itself represented a form of protest; and whether the elections will provide a stable and predictable foundation for the future. The papers further provide a comprehensive overview of the main aspects of the elections: the electoral process; the political parties; the participation of civil society and faith communities; the roles of the judiciary, media and donors; the management of conflicts; and perspectives of domestic and international observers. Finally, the editors outline a series of recommendations to local and international stakeholders in Malawi's democracy, and provide valuable statistical data.

Author: Martin Ott
ISBN-10: 9990876584
ISBN-13: 9789990876581
Publisher: Kachere Series
Language: English
Published: 09/05/2000
Pages: 344
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.12lbs
Size: 8.93h x 6.09w x 0.87d