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Prevention of Election Violence

Burundi Legislative Elections An unidentified voter casts her ballot during the 4 July 2010 legislative elections in Cibitoke, Burundi / UN Photo

Elections have come to be seen by many as an indicator of democratisation and legitimacy. The international community has invested heavily in support for the technical aspects involved in conducting polls and processing results. However, relatively little focus has been devoted to the prevention of election-related violence. Since elections often represent a process through which access to political power and financial resources are gained and consolidated, the run up to polls, elections day itself, and the period after election day can easily turn into flashpoints for violence. States in transition or emerging from conflict are especially prone to election-related violence, underlining the need for preventive measures.

QUNO New York Activities

To address these challenges QUNO New York carries out a range of activities aimed at focusing attention on prevention of election related violence. Some recent examples include:

• During March 2011, QUNO New York hosted a visit by Getry Agizah, Coordinator of the Friends Church Peace Teams in Kenya. Through a range of meetings and conversations with UN colleagues, Getry shared information about Quaker work aimed at preventing a reoccurrence of the election-related violence that took place in 2007-08.

• In October 2010, QUNO New York co-hosted an event entitled “The Day After: Post-Election consolidation in Africa” with the Delegation of the European Union. The event focused on the period immediately following elections that often sees a continuation and even aggravation of previously existing divisions that can lead to violence. Presentations by experts from the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue and the National Democratic Institute shared lessons from a range of cases, demonstrating the need for meaningful planning for the post-electoral period in order to prevent potential violence.

• During national elections in Burundi in 2010, QUNO New York consulted with a range of Quaker partners on the development of the Amatora Mu Mahoro election project in Burundi. The project used text messaging and crowd sourcing to monitor a range of indicators of potential violence.

Read more on other prevention priorities:

• Constructive Engagement with Rising Centers of Power
• Inclusion of Key Stakeholders