The organisation of free and fair elections is generally seen as a key to any countrys political transition process. Elections are often seen as conferring legitimacy on the state and those exercising political power, but they are also seen as a moment of accountability of elected leaders and political participation of citizens. It has also become increasingly clear that, in reality, elections also entail potential risks and may induce instability. The demonstration effect of how the international community has handled challenging situations where elections have triggered instability on the continent potentially has an important impact on elections in Eastern African countries, which now have more or less uniform electoral cycles.