Democracy by IDs and Fingerprints? The Politics of Voter Registration and Voter Registration Reform in West Africa

Abstract

A reliable voter list is a necessary precondition for free and fair elections. However, many developing countries have persistent difficulties in registering their electors and establishing their identity. Following polemics about the quality of existing voter rolls, these countries have recently introduced reforms to their voter registration systems, such as the adoption of voter IDs and of biometric technology. Looking at three West African countries – Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana – this paper argues that the impact of these reforms has been mixed, that economic costs have not always been justified and that sophisticated technology does not guarantee the success and acceptance of voter registration.