did not inspire confidence in the transparent and equitable management of electoral contest. The democratic opening of'90s was therefore characterized by the establishment of bodies expected to organize the electoral processes with a degree of independence. Fierce battles were therefore fought in this context by the opposition and those in power, the configurations given to these electoral commissions being a show of a real willingness on the part of governments to promote free, sincere and democratic elections. The learning process of the electoral practice has consequently reconciled Africa with multiparty democracy. Much was then invested in these new bodies, which were expected to be the new watchdog of democracy. With nearly twenty years after the first experience in the organization of free and competitive elections in the West African sub-region, the first report card can be prepared. There were cases in which electoral commissions succeeded very well in playing their role of managing(or organizing) elections. Nevertheless, one can notice some mixed experiences, calling for a measured judgment. Finally, there are some more worrisome cases in a situation where the electoral commission has, to a great deal, failed in carrying out its mission, compromising its credibility and contributing to a negative overall political climate. Close to two decades after the commencement of transitions to democratic regimes and succession of electoral cycles, elections still remained subject to caution and prone to crisis in several new democracies. In countries of the West African sub-region, elections have been the primary conflict generating factor, despite the setting up of electoral commissions according to a more or less consensual mode. Tensions leading to confrontations which threaten the stability often arise during the preparation of elections, while conducting elections, and 11