ABSTRACT
Elections in Africa have played a much more significant role than has commonly been recognized; that in spite of problems, the electoral process is an important part of African contemporary political life. While elections may not always be "free and fair" in keeping with democratic norms, they perform other important functions which have an impact far beyond the actual election results themselves. This is the introductory chapter of the book, which reviews the role and impact of elections in Africa, examines a wide range of very different examples throughout Africa during this period, and explores the varied meanings and implications of elections since Africa's independence. The book takes another look at the electoral process, tries to reassess the experiences of the last twenty-five years in particular, and examines some of the more interesting cases in the hope that we can provide a fresh perspective that will be useful for more fully understanding the political process in Africa.
