On a purely theoretical level, run-off elections seem like a great idea. In practice, not so much. With a very high likelihood of both Mali and Zimbabwe heading for a second round of voting, SIMON ALLISON looks at the problems inherent in the double ballot system - and why Zimbabwe should be a lot more worried than Mali.
In March this year, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto nervously watched the results of the Kenyan election trickle in. They saw they were in front, which was encouraging, but it wasn't enough. To win properly, to win outright, they needed to secure more than 50% of the vote - and avoid a dreaded, unpredictable run-off election.
The run-off is something we'll never have to worry about in South Africa, not unless our Constitution changes radically. We elect our leaders in a proportional representation system, which means we don't actually vote for the president directly - we vote for Parliament, and then Parliament gets the privilege of appointing the head of state.
But in Kenya, as in many other countries around the world - including Mali and Zimbabwe - the run-off is a vital part of the electoral process...
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