THE IMPACT OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM ON THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA - THE CASE OF MALI

The wave of countries undertaking a transition to democracy in Africa has raised a number of questions including the structural issue associated with the choice of an electoral system type. The choice of electoral systems has had a major impact on the emerging party system and the future of democratic government in Mali. The results of the proportionally based municipal and majority National Assembly elections are very different. A simulated proportional National Assembly election produced results that would have necessitated a coalition government, the stability of which would be uncertain. The majority system, on the other hand, produced a clear winner with an overwhelming majority of seats. In the choice of electoral systems, short-term stability may have been exchanged for longer-term democratic development.