The distribution of material benefits to voters at election time is a widespread practice that raises the cost of campaigning and is on the increase across Africa. This article examines the consequences of the high cost of campaigning in African democracies. It argues that the prevalence of gift giving and vote buying affects parties? selection of candidates by pri...

One of the most striking voting patterns in many African elections is the marked difference between urban and rural voters in their willingness to support the incumbent. In many countries, incumbents receive their worst electoral scores in the cities, whereas the countryside votes overwhelmingly for them. This pattern is puzzling because there is no evidence that r...