deepening
- Democracy values
Democracy is characterized by two critical values, freedom and equality. These values ??are enshrined in all bills of rights: that of 1789 or 1948. Other values ??are being added such as: tolerance, respect, cooperation, pluralism and social compromise, acceptance of difference, solidarity, peace, etc...
- STEPS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND TECHNICAL VOTE
o Before: Electoral process steps: pre-election period is the time of preparation (revision of electoral lists - changes and new entries - issuance of voter cards, submission of applications, material preparation, convened by order of the electorate, training of officials and members of polling, propaganda activities, parties, etc...
o During: it is the poll day, voters go to the polls to do their civic duty, counting of votes.
o afterwards: post election period, announcement of provisional results, recourse to the authorized jurisdiction in case of protest of the regularity of electoral operations, proclamation of final results
÷ Voting techniques
o check on voting right (polling card and identity card; absence of the mark of the indelible ink on one of the fingers)
o the voter takes one envelope and the ballot of the candidates
o he passes inevitably in the voting booth. He will be assisted in case of infirmity and at his request
o in his return from the voting booth, before he introduces his envelope into the ballot box, a member of the polling station puts in it the indelible ink on one of the fingers
o he makes note that he is bearing only the single envelope. The President determines without touching the envelope which the voter himself introduces into the ballot box.
o the voter signs the signature list in front of his name, if he cannot sign, affixes the finger dipped in the indelible ink instead of signature
o a member of the polling station will affix the cachet in front of the name «has voted» and the polling date.
CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACY IN ECOWAS
The development and consolidation of democracy in the ECOWAS face major obstacles among which we note:
- Illiteracy: low literacy in several countries of ECOWAS rate prevents citizens to know and assert their right and also to participate in public life. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary for states to increase spending in the educational field as a prerequisite for the promotion of a democratic culture in the region;
- tribalism and ethnocentrism: it is at this level to ensure respect for local cultures, promote cultural interaction and openness to others through peace education and conflict management;
- deficiency of endogenous recognition values: these values ??are threatened by the phenomenon of globalization. This is to protect as intangible cultural heritage;
- military coups: the seizure of power by the military is a democracy, contrary to constitutional provisions. It should be systematically condemned and combated only insofar as the people are likely to drive change in democracy
- the constitutional state with unilateral changes of constitution shots;
- poverty is a threat to the sustainability of democracy and its consolidation as it prevents access to education, participation in public life and fosters corruption;
- the socio-political problems generally related to elections threaten the stability of States and is a source of anxiety for the people of ECOWAS;
- weak public institutions: the loss of credibility attached to public institutions because of corruption, is a serious impediment to democracy. Trust in institutions must be restored through a policy of transparency and accountability;
- abuse of power: non-respect of human rights, modification ('' tampering'') of the constitution, abuse of authority ...
Webography:
http://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/democratie/
Definitions of the concept
- http://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/democracy/
- http://aceproject.org/main/francais/ve/vec05b01.htm