291 Copyright © 2018, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 16 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3247-7.ch016 ABSTRACT The chapter conceptualized elections, politics, and democracy; showed the nexus among these variables; and established the link between them and sustainable development. Elections as key components of democracy are examined as a factor to engendering sustainable development. The chapter also appraises the concept of sustainable development as a construct of Western powers and its promotion as a liberal ideology as an appraisal of a cross section of countries within the African continent. Furthermore, the chapter discusses elections, politics, and the trend of the emerging democracy in Africa towards sustain- able development with facts and figures. The chapter in conclusion examines factors that have shaped and is shaping elections, politics, democracy, and sustainable development in Africa and thereafter recommends policy options that would engender credible elections, inclusive politics, and participation and development that is home grown and sustainable across the African continent. INTRODUCTION The discourse on development in Africa has often been mired in controversies. This is more so given the colonial past, present struggles and exclusion of Africa from the dominant international structures shaping world’s development. From the colonial era to contemporary times, Africa as a continent, has been afflicted with long and intermittent wars for number of years and suffered much instability. More worrisome is the increased relationship between violence, politics and democracy. All these have a deleterious effect on sustainable development. Efforts at democratization has been influenced by local and regional realities, wealthy class and peoples demand for incorporation into governance structures as Elections, Politics, Democracy, and the Challenge of Sustainable Development in Africa Olugbemiga Samuel Afolabi University of Johannesburg, South Africa & Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria