Electoral Violence in Asia:UNDP paper on electoral reforms

UNDP: No country in Asia is immune to electoral violence
New Study offers electoral reforms to reduce violence

Bangkok, 29 June, 2011– No country in Asia is immune to electoral violence, according to a new study by the United Nations Development Programme. While the nature and design of political systems are important in understanding electoral violence, all electoral systems are open to manipulation and abuse if political parties and supporters do not accept the systems’ legitimacy. The study identifies real and perceived fraud, corruption, and patronage as the key “drivers” of election- related violence.

Understanding Electoral Violence in Asia is a 20-page investigation of the electoral process of seven countries in South and South East Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand. It draws empirical lessons and offers practical policy, legislation and institutional changes for each country to reduce electoral violence.

The study concludes that there is a direct linkage between election violence and perceived or alleged cheating. It is “not necessary for such fraud to be proven – the mere suspicion or allegation of fraud is often enough, in democracies where there is a lack of confidence in authorities, for people to react violently,” notes the study.

The report cites several types of groups and organizations that play key roles in either preventing or perpetuating electoral violence. In a number of cases political parties and political party supporters were the main instigators of physical violence.

Another “contributing factor in election order or disorder is the state itself, particularly its police and military apparatus,” says the report. “In instances where security forces are seen to be partisan or corrupt there is a higher chance that they will be purveyors of violence rather than protectors of peace,” according to the study.

The study points to the design of political systems, the mandate and powers of electoral laws and election observation and monitoring as important factors in preventing electoral violence. Civic education, media and civil society engagement are also important in creating informed constituencies and therefore mitigating electoral violence. However, when media is controlled by special interests it can have a “destructive role in promoting narrow interests, inflammatory political rhetoric and retarding democratic processes,” says the paper.

The report concludes that “political parties have a crucial role to play in countries where electoral fraud and violence have become institutionalized.” The key to prevention of electoral violence is to strengthen the credibility of the election process. This involves greater “transparency, political and legal reforms, broad public and civil society participation and education.”

The following is a snapshot of case study recommendations for reforming electoral systems to reduce violence:

Bangladesh: All political parties should refrain from personal attacks and abide by the Code of Conduct and Representation of the People Order; the Bangladesh Election Commission needs adequate resources and systems to verify financial filings of candidates and carry out electoral laws without fear or bias; the Election Commission should develop a mechanism to monitor electoral expenditure by the candidates and the parties

India: New voter registration and the updating of voter lists should be simplified and conducted at regular periods; a system for the verification of information furnished by candidates in affidavits should be in place, and those proven to have provided the wrong information or concealed information should be debarred from contesting elections; the speedy disposal of electoral disputes could be strengthened by setting up fast track special courts and tribunals.

Indonesia: Election official training should be improved, especially for staff managing polling stations; voter data should be more regularly updated; electoral impunity could be reduced by increasing the period for receiving criminal complaints; a comprehensive electoral dispute resolution reform strategy should be put in place which can be reflected in a future election law

Nepal: Political parties must support Election Commission initiatives and introduce more transparent financial reporting systems; the electoral code of conduct should become law and other bills passed in relation to elections should be strictly enforced; the Election Commission should have the power to address rigging; the election constituency delimitation should be done impartially and not influenced by undue political party pressure

Pakistan: Existing electoral laws should be implemented and election offences and violations prosecuted accordingly; the power of political elites should be curtailed; the Government needs to guarantee the rights of women and minorities as voters and candidates in the electoral process; the Election Commission needs to establish an effective complaint tracking system, and ensure security at polling stations including appropriate facilities for women.

Philippines: The Election Commission should be professionalized by removing political appointees, raising salaries and promoting staffers on merit; the election commission should also be given the necessary capability to enforce election laws and prosecute election violators; Perpetrators of electoral violence should be brought to justice; private armed militias should be disarmed and dismantled.

Thailand: Political parties should abide by the “Code of Conduct for the General Election Campaign 2011” to ensure the election campaign is peaceful and the outcome is respected; Election commissioners and all independent bodies that monitor state power holders should remain independent and any political efforts to influence their decisions should be held accountable; the electoral commission should stand against candidates who cheat in the campaign and laws should be enforced to prevent ruling parties from misusing state facilities.

ENDS

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