Interactive map shows election rigging

[Posted by Michael Swigert from Africa Action's office in Washington]

Sokwanele, a “civil action support group” has developed this interactive map displaying the location of violations (”breaches”) of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Sokwanele points out the essential reality that elections are a process, not an event, and the same, sadly, applies to rigging.

Although the reality of how widespread government abuses are is deeply troubling, this site is a great example of how creative civil society groups in Africa can use Google Maps mashups and other forms of web-based technology to get their message out about human rights and democracy. See Ushahidi.com’s timeline/map of post-electoral violence in Kenya for a similar project.

Tags: Zimbabwe