For the foreseeable future, this book will be the essential reference on African multiparty elections. Foreign Affairs A good and timely book on a very important topic... His prose highlights his expertise in Africa, the comparative literature on democratization, democratization in Africa, and methodology. Taiwan Journal of Democracy 2006 An important contribution to the study of African politics and democratization in general... Highly recommended. Choice 2007 A rigorous investigation... This book makes a notable contribution to the study of electoral politics, democratisation theory and the study of African politics. -- Peter Burnell Political Studies Review 2007 Lindberg contributes a serious study that has significant heuristic value and will encourage a testing and retesting of its hypotheses and theoretical premises. -- John R. Heilbrunn Comparative Political Studies 2007 This book is an original, important, and in many ways impressive study that will make a contribution to both electoral and Africanist scholarship. -- James R. Scarritt Perspectives on Politics 2007 This book is a path-breaking and much-needed study of the role of elections in Africa. -- Nic Cheeseman Africa 2007 Lindberg has done a good job. Written with serious academic and methodological rigor, this book contributes to the discourse on comparative democratization in Africa. -- Arthur Abraham International Journal of African Historical Studies 2007 Contains significant levels of data and analysis and will be a useful text for students and practitioners alike. -- Heather Deegan Democratization 2007 Essential reading for all people interested in elections and democracy in Africa. -- Gero Erdmann African History 2008 Draws far-reaching and well-based conclusions about the 'power of elections.' -- Gero Erdmann Development and Cooperation 2008 Without doubt, this study provides a strong stimulus for future research, and this is precisely what excellent scientific work is meant to be. -- Matthias Basedau Modern African Studies 2008