Distinguished Speakers North Country Chapter Event: “Electoral Rules, Elections, Election Violence and Judicial Independence in Sub-Saharan Africa”

The North County Chapter of the

San Diego World Affairs Council Presents 

A  Distinguished Speakers Series Program Featuring

Dr. Meshack Simati 

Thursday, January 9th, 2025

10:00pam - 12:00pm

Location: 

The Remington Club II Assisted Living Community 

2nd Floor 

Rancho Bernardo, CA 

*This is a hybrid event. Zoom link to be sent to all Zoom registrants via email two days prior to the event. For in-person registrants, specific directions and map will be provided.*

About this Program

On January 9, 2025 the North County Chapter of the San Diego World Affairs Council will welcome guest speaker, Dr. Meshack Simati who will give a hybrid Zoom/In-Person presentation entitled “Electoral Rules, Elections, Election Violence and Judicial Independence in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Although election violence is a common feature in African elections, the role of domestic courts as a preventive intervention has been relatively understudied. Dr. Simati will explore how variation in the levels of judicial independence can influence the likelihood of electoral violence. Specifically, he will examine the conditions under which both the incumbent party and the opposition parties are likely to employ strategic use of electoral violence to influence elections in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Dr. Simati's presentation will last approximately 1 hour, to be followed by up to 50 minutes of Q&A.

Free to the public also available via Zoom. Pre-registration required. 

About Dr. Meshack Simati

 Dr Meshack Simati was born and raised in Kenya. He   obtained an undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State   University, a master’s degree in political science at the   University of New Orleans and a Ph.D. in Political Science   at Georgia State University. Currently he is an Associate   Professor at California State University San Marcos in the   Political Science and Global Affairs department. His primary   area of research interest is in Comparative Politics with a   focus on Africa. More broadly, he researches the   phenomenon of democratization in the context of institutions, social diversity and election violence. His current research explores the consequences of electoral rules and institutions such as judiciaries on the prevalence of electoral violence in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Simati’s work has appeared in published books, including one in which he is the sole author (“Post-Election Violence in Africa: the Impact of Judicial Independence”), and in peer reviewed journal articles.