Planning for the 1993 national elections in Senegal : an evaluation

This report evaluates Senegal"s readiness for its 1993 national elections and the role international funding could play. Following an overview of the country"s electoral history, components of the electoral structure are discussed; these include electoral legislation, administration, policies, and procedures; party system structure; composition of the electorate; and budgeting information. The evaluation concludes that Senegal"s inexperienced electorate is vastly unprepared for competitive elections; all levels of electoral administration and the Electoral Code are riddled with inconsistencies and ambiguity; and rules regarding funding for public and party obligations remain undeveloped. Despite these conditions, most of which were present during the violent 1988 elections, the 1993 election could potentially meet international standards of fairness given the strength of Senegal"s democratic tradition and the prospect of international assistance/funding. A final section recommends ways in which international support could improve the 1993 and future elections; areas discussed include pollworker training, civic education, national identity cards, ballot design and secrecy, voting rights of citizens abroad, nonpartisan campaign commissions, international observers, and electoral boundaries.