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The authors identified the under-mentioned variables as the most significant explanatory factors that influence electoral turnout in legislative elections in Africa and therefore, made the following claims: Africa Countries with concurrency of presidential and legislative elections experience higher voter turnout. Potential voters perceive presidential elections as more important than legislative elections and therefore more inclined to vote in presidential elections. And also given the costs associated with voting, particularly in rural Africa, where voters may have to travel some distance to reach a polling station. Holding presidential and legislative elections concurrently is therefore likely to boost turnout in legislative elections through the positive ripple effect of presidential elections. Unicameral systems elicit higher turnout rates. Bicameralism diffuses legislative power. The limited influence of bicameralism on turnout may be a result of the weak nature of bicameralism in Africa. According to Lijphart (1999) cited in Kuenzi & Lambright (2007:679), the power of the legislative bodies in Africa’s bicameral legislatures tends to be unbalanced. Often the members of the second chamber are not directly elected and may comprise traditional chiefs or the ruling party’s gurus. In Africa, voter turnout is consistently higher when elections are conducted using proportional electoral rules. Their argument on this proposition is based on (Jackman, 1987:408) assertion that for smaller parties to attain any meaningful legislative representation in highly disproportional systems, there is the need for them to amass a considerable number of votes, but which is difficult for them. This therefore reduces the reward of voting for the minor-parties’ supporters. There is more likely for the votes of minor-parties’ supporters to be wasted in greater disproportionality systems. Disproportionality appears to be a major disincentive to potential minor-party voters to cast a ballot. It appears that electors are more inclined to vote when the voting system seems fairer for all parties, including small ones implying voters are more likely to find amenable parties. Voter turnout is higher in countries with greater electoral experience in Africa. Electoral experience is measured as the number of elections held in each country since the reintroduction of multiparty elections up to the election included in their study. There is anticipation that people need a little experience with new institutions before their behaviour is consistent with the incentives provided. The is provided by UK Assignment http://www.szdhsjt.comPeople are also likely to acquire the habit of voting as they gain more and more experience with democracy. Media exposure has a strong positive effect on turnout in Africa. Media exposure is measured as the number of radios per capita. People with regular access to radios are likely to be knowledgeable about the electoral campaigns. They are also likely to be more informed about the timing and logistics of the election, where and when to vote. The reason why the number of radios has such a powerful effect is that it captures both the media access and level of development. |
