Former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has said that election-related military coups in Africa erode the continent of its democratic gains since most of these elections run without the presence of observers.
He maintained that observers are crucial in supervising an election because they contribute to transparency in the outcomes of the election.
"The avalanche of election-related military coups in Africa disrupts democratic gains.
"In most of these elections, observers were excluded from the electoral process. Election observers are necessary as they contribute towards transparency and accountability of an election outcome," Chebukati said.
His remarks come after the military in Gabon deposed President Ali Bongo over what they termed a sham election.
They said they were annulling the results of Saturday's election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.
The electoral commission said Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.
Coup leaders in Gabon have installed General Brice Clotaire Oligui-Nguema as the transitional President.
Nguema, the coup leader, is said to be President Ali Bongo's cousin.
Twelve soldiers appeared on television on Wednesday, announcing they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving "all the institutions of the republic".
They also said the country's borders had been closed "until further notice".
One of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: "We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime."
A few weeks ago, the Niger's Presidential guard also ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
