Comparative study of filters in democratic systems

The exercise of democracy is a difficult and complex work that arouses passions, controversies and compromises in order to achieve the observance of clear and universally accepted rules by the stakeholders in the political game. While most political actors agree on the need to make participation in elections more credible by establishing selection criteria in order to avoid abuses or far-fetched candidacies, opinions diverge on the methods of decision making and implementation. After studying the different systems practiced in the "advanced democracies" and those practiced in West Africa in particular, where democracy is most often built in pain, the author tries to make comparisons based on the different practices. Based on the findings of his analysis, he comes to the conclusion that no system practiced in a crude manner is perfect and that it is necessary to agree on a consensus based on the best practices without wanting to restrict the freedom of application. Today, in Europe as well as in Africa, there is an ongoing debate about the need to reform the filter system.

Autorentext

Ababacar Fall es autor de un libro sobre "la historia política y electoral de Senegal". Ha trabajado durante veinte años en procesos electorales y ha contribuido a la reforma del Código Electoral en Senegal. Es Secretario General del GRADEC y trabaja en temas de gobernanza democrática y promoción de los derechos humanos.