The Nexus between Poverty and Elections in Africa: A Case Study of Somaliland and the Gambia

Abstract

This article explores the states of democracy and the conduct of elections in Somaliland and the Gambia. The article examines the democratic and electoral institutions responsible for the conduct of elections in the two countries and assesses their level of effectiveness for a free and transparent election. The article uses multiple case studies as the research design to generate data on elections in Somaliland and the Gambia. Triangulation was also adopted as a method of obtaining multiple data to test their validity and relevance for this study. The study adopted content analysis as the technique for data analysis. The study found that the conduct of elections in both Somaliland and the Gambia has been influenced by vote buying which is the consequence of poverty. The study found that limited economic opportunities in both countries make citizen trade off their votes for favors during elections. The study recommends widening economic opportunities and strengthening the media and civil society organizations for civic education and capacity building of political parties and government officials.