Clearly there had been a directive to prevent our centralised accumulation of election violation allegations from across the country.
It controls all budgets and appoints judges, prosecutors, generals, state governors and election commissioners.Full steam aheadYet centralised politics and a grasping state seem unlikely to dim Angola's economic future.
That Nigeria's accidental one is likely to live up to his name and sail through February's poll is a testament to the complex mix of ethnic rivalry, patronage and intense competition for centralised oil wealth that underpins the country's elections.
Weak institutions and centralised power have handed incumbents a huge advantage, not only in winning elections, but also in changing constitutions.
Coming from the coast himself, he campaigned persuasively against centralised administration (from highland Quito), and the traditional political class.The effects may outlast the election.
Amid calls for longer term economic planning and centralised decision making on distributing European Union grants, it is hard to see where the reality of election cycles and shifting political winds fit in.
The parliamentary elections scheduled for April will be a crucial battle between those embracing Mr Maliki's vision of a centralised Iraq and the growing number of both Sunnis and Shias who are beginning to look at the autonomy of Kurdistan as an example to be emulated.
Finally, a theme from the election campaign, which resonated with parents and rebounded negatively on Labour, was the continuous allegation of bureaucratic, centralised micromanagement of schools.
As the decentralisation debate rumbles into election season, politicians should be mindful that there is a watchful public that can see that our centralised system is not working.
It envisages a centralised state.
