"Democracy on Trial": the Role of the Losers in Post-Election Violence : A Qualitative Comparison of Presidential Elections in Nigeria 2011 and Kenya 2013

Abstract: Most of the literature on electoral violence focuses on the role of the incumbents as perpetrators, although taking into account that other actors can play this role. This essay aims at filling the research gap concerning the role of the losers of an election as perpetrators of electoral violence by addressing the research question: “Why do losers of an election engage in post-election violence in some contexts, while in others do not?” I focus on post-election violence, given that it is the timing in which the minorities are most likely to mobilize. I argue that higher levels of trust towards democracy as a regime type will enhance legitimacy of democratic institutions and compliance to democratic norms, consequently decreasing the likelihood of post-election violence. The analysis is built upon a structured and focused comparison between two presidential elections in sub-Saharan Africa i.e. 2011 election in Nigeria and 2013 election in Kenya. In the first case post-election violence occurred, while in the latter it did not. The findings show moderate support for my hypothesis, with supporters and leaders of the main losing party of the election in Kenya showing higher levels of trust towards democracy as a government form.