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.