Requirement of Territorial Distribution of Votes
in Presidential Elections Cover Image

Wymóg terytorialnego rozłożenia głosów w wyborach prezydenckich
Requirement of Territorial Distribution of Votes in Presidential Elections

Kenya Case

Author(s): Igor Dobrzeniecki
Subject(s): Electoral systems
Published by: Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN
Keywords: power-sharing; elections; centripetalism; Kenya

Summary/Abstract: Kenyan society consists of many different ethnic and religious groups. Additionally, it is characterised by significant inequalities in the access of particular segments of the population to political and economic goods. In 1992, in order to pacify potential conflicts between opposing ethnic groups and due to Western states’ pressure for democratisation, the ruling regime in Kenya introduced the so-called centripetal requirement for the territorial distribution of votes in presidential elections. According to it, to win an election, a candidate must gain at least 25% of the valid votes in more than half of all major divisions in Kenya. As a consequence, the state was to be governed by a ‘pan-ethnic’ president, compromising interethnic relations.However, the Kenyan case reflects a significant dissonance between the aim underlying a requirement and its practical functioning. The fact that presidential candidates use ethnic differences in their electoral campaigns, corruption and the widespread buying of votes have made the requirement another obstacle to be overcome on the way to presidency. This article aims to clarify the essence of the centripetal requirement for the territorial distribution of votes in Kenyan presidential elections and analyse its effectiveness.

  • Issue Year: 45/2017
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 171-191
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish