Electoral Capture in Africa – Case Studies from Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Electoral Capture in Africa: Case Studies from Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe examines how political elites manipulate electoral systems to retain power, undermining democratic integrity. The book shows that elections often persist as formal processes while being subverted through institutional control, coercion, and strategic rule-bending. Across the three countries, it traces how historical legacies, state structures, and economic dependencies enable ruling parties to dominate electoral outcomes, weakening accountability and deepening citizen disillusionment with democratic processes. It ultimately calls for systemic reforms to restore electoral credibility and strengthen the link between citizens and governance.