Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-ke.png "Flag of Kenya") | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
Election Commission Offers Reforms to Remedy Kenya’s Flawed Electoral System
| |
| Summary |
Following the tumultuous elections that recently took place in Kenya only months ago, it was time to examine exactly why that election was so badly ruined. 1,500 people were killed in uprisings and riots following the elections and 600,000 were displaced, according to BBC News. After a six-month investigation which ended this week, a commission of inquiry has ordered that there be massive election reforms. Many Kenyans blame the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) for botching this election so horrendously and, indeed, the commission recommended a complete overhaul of ECK.
The Independent Review Commission (Irec) said that there was no evidence to claim that the state of Kenya rigged the elections in any way, but that no one will ever know the true winner. President Mwai Kibaki was the victor of this flawed election. After touring the country and interrogating both civilians and government workers, Irec decided that the entire system should be overhauled and that the dysfunctions were “systemic” and plagued the entire process. The commission also recommended that a new system be adopted in regards to proper voter registration. | |
| Analysis |
Seeing as this situation involves negotiation, and investigation for the prospect of a solution to a flawed democratic system, the situation in Kenya needs to be examined from the liberal perspective. The collective good of a successfully executed and fairly administered election not only will benefit Kenya after the commission’s reforms have been enacted, but could also provide an example to other African states that are struggling to stabilize. For example, following these elections in February, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga signed a power-sharing agreement in an effort to quell the violence that was erupting. This was a move towards the common good of the people and this cooperation and negotiation was an extremely liberal move after such a traumatic series of electoral events.
Reforming Kenya’s election system will also help the country be acknowledged as a viable nation on the international stage. This will help foster interdependence between Kenya and other nations and, therefore, will encourage international trade and mutual relations.
Finally, Kenya was essentially able to step back and allow international regimes to enter the scene and help mediate. Not only does this illustrate interdependence once more, but Kenya’s lack of control in this situation while the election commission investigated was truly anti-realist and the result is a different kind of security that will hopefully prove to be beneficial for Kenya and its people in years to come. | |
| Perspective |  | Liberal |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | September 18, 2008 at 4:22 pm | |
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