Parliamentarians Back in Parliament: Fairer Elections and MPs as Representatives

• In Event: Consequences of African Electoral Integrity

Abstract

How does the prospect of fairer elections affect parliamentary behavior? Leveraging existing experimental designs and a novel data set on parliamentary speeches of MPs during Ghana's 6th parliament, I present evidence to support that fairer elections motivate MPs to be more active in parliamentary debates. Specifically, MPs elected in fairer elections are more likely to focus on bringing their constituent's concerns to the floor of parliament, as well as in participating in the lawmaking process. There is mixed evidence regarding the effects of fairer elections on executive oversight. These findings have important repercussions for democratic accountability, substantive representation, and parliamentary strengthening in African democracies.

Author

• Nikolaos Frantzeskakis, Michigan State University