The body responsible for the conduct of elections is
usually responsible for announcing the final election results. Preliminary
results usually provide a good indicator of overall electoral outcomes as well
as the distribution of political power for the next term of office. For an
incumbent, admitting defeat and handing over political power to opponents may
be difficult. Leaders who are disappointed with the initial figures may feel
strongly motivated to use all available means, including violent ones, to
challenge the election results and change them in their favor.
The overriding responsibility for a successful election
lies with political leaders, as they are in a position: to commit to
challenging election results through legal means only and with substantiating
evidence; to accept final outcomes, as officially declared; to encourage their
supporters to engage in proper, peaceful behavior; and to be gracious in defeat
and magnanimous in victory, including through offering political space for the
opposition. Where this
responsibility is not assumed, however, inconsistencies, delays and
lack of transparency among the bodies in charge of the management of electoral
appeals and results may contribute to stakeholders’ resort to violent means.
