Which is one reason what at the beginning seem like progressive coup makers or high-minded rebels usually turn funny and declare themselves presidents for life after they take power. They tend to view the enterprise partly as a hunt for personal trophy. There is also the possibility of a backlash. Where laws severely restrict opposition parties as in Uganda, the moves toward fully democratic politics could be put on ice by regime apparatchik frightened by what they see as the fickleness of voters. On the balance, though, progress has been made.
Flawed elections are no longer the cheapest way for strongmen to wrap themselves in legitimacy.
They also bring crooked regimes a lot of bad luck. All rights reserved.