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What are the disadvantages of relying on election monitoring to ensure free and fair elections?

Aloysius Woffinden

There are several disadvantages of relying on election monitoring to ensure free and fair elections, in my opinion.

Firstly, election monitoring can be costly and time-consuming. This means that not all areas or communities may have access to such monitoring, leaving these areas more susceptible to electoral fraud and manipulation. Furthermore, the costs associated with monitoring can be prohibitively expensive for some countries, especially those considered to be low-income or developing nations.

Secondly, election monitoring can also be biased towards certain political parties or candidates. This can happen when the monitoring is carried out by non-independent organizations. These organizations may have vested interests in supporting particular candidates or political parties, leading to unfair advantages for those that they support and disadvantages for those that they do not.

Thirdly, election monitoring can also be ineffective in preventing corruption and other malpractices that may occur during an election. This is because political actors who are involved in these activities might be able to evade or circumvent the monitoring, especially if the monitoring is limited in scope or is poorly implemented.

Fourthly, election monitoring can be a source of tension and conflict, especially if the monitoring is carried out by foreign organizations or individuals. Some people may view this as an infringement on their sovereignty, and may therefore resist such monitoring efforts. This resistance can sometimes result in violence or other forms of disruption during the election process.

Finally, election monitoring can sometimes be a distraction from the more fundamental issues that underlie electoral fraud and manipulation. Such underlying issues may include voter suppression, lack of access to information, and unequal access to resources for electoral campaigns. Focusing solely on election monitoring may not effectively address these underlying issues, leading to a continued lack of fairness and transparency in elections.

Despite these disadvantages, I still believe that election monitoring can play a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections. However, it should not be the sole solution to this problem, and efforts should be made to address the underlying factors that contribute to electoral fraud and manipulation. Moreover, election monitoring should be carried out in a way that is transparent, unbiased, and effective, in order to minimize the risks associated with this approach.