The Raila Odinga Model which I think states that, "If you lost an election which you think you should have won, then you can arrange your own swear-in ceremony", raises questions on how best to play the opposition in
#demcracy .
There is no perfect electoral process anywhere in the world. Even in oldest democracies where centuries of experience ought to have perfected the electoral process, there is still shadow of doubt cast on the completeness and fairness of that process.
I can argue that because societies continue to evolve in a dynamic curve, people and their expectations are restlessly shifting that curve, thus pushing pressure on the pivots that supports systems of government, which will never meet all the expectations.
Elections must be won and lost. But the politics of winning or losing an election shouldn't precipitate on destroying the gains gleaned from giving the citizenry the opportunity to decide who leads their government.
In its truest sense, elections are never lost because government in a democracy is not complete without a vibrant, engaging, and purposeful opposition.
The opposition, worth its own value, provide the alternative to the people in terms of economic policies, foreign policy, programmes and so on. This is Constitutional in every democracy.
At the end of the day, there will be no genuine electoral reforms without the Opposition being present to recommend it, keep pushing for it to better the electoral process from election year to election year.
The Raila Odinga Model is troubling, and one not to be pushed further. Regardless of the imperfections of the electoral process, our democracy and participatory elections in
Africa must be entrenched on respect for the unity and stability of our Nations.
Kenya is an economic powerhouse and a big player in the politics of Africa , and that will always be so.
#demcracy .
There is no perfect electoral process anywhere in the world. Even in oldest democracies where centuries of experience ought to have perfected the electoral process, there is still shadow of doubt cast on the completeness and fairness of that process.
I can argue that because societies continue to evolve in a dynamic curve, people and their expectations are restlessly shifting that curve, thus pushing pressure on the pivots that supports systems of government, which will never meet all the expectations.
Elections must be won and lost. But the politics of winning or losing an election shouldn't precipitate on destroying the gains gleaned from giving the citizenry the opportunity to decide who leads their government.
In its truest sense, elections are never lost because government in a democracy is not complete without a vibrant, engaging, and purposeful opposition.
The opposition, worth its own value, provide the alternative to the people in terms of economic policies, foreign policy, programmes and so on. This is Constitutional in every democracy.
At the end of the day, there will be no genuine electoral reforms without the Opposition being present to recommend it, keep pushing for it to better the electoral process from election year to election year.
The Raila Odinga Model is troubling, and one not to be pushed further. Regardless of the imperfections of the electoral process, our democracy and participatory elections in
Africa must be entrenched on respect for the unity and stability of our Nations.
Kenya is an economic powerhouse and a big player in the politics of Africa , and that will always be so.
Andrew Adedayo Adetoye
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