Shashank writes on Somewhere in Africa,

This morning as I left Congo and entered Rwanda, the immigration officer said to me and my American friend: So you’ll be voting in Rwanda?

We explained that both of us had already voted in the U.S. election, by mail. But the concept of absentee voting is difficult to grasp in most of Africa, where you have to vote in person and elections are often all-day affairs…

You don’t need to be a Kenyan to know that it hasn’t been a banner year for democracy in Africa. But people’s faith in the power of the ballot remains incredibly strong. Everyone who asks if I’m voting beams with pleasure when I explain how our system lets citizens thousands of miles away participate in the process. It’s a reminder of the privilege of casting a ballot — and that the world is looking to the United States today with even more wonder than usual.

Joe in Uganda is unsure just how far this Obamamania can be stretched:

Although I’m sure security in the Great Lakes region has crossed Barack Obama’s mind, I think it is just possible that in light of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, American troops engaged in two intractable wars, a huge energy deficit and a healthcare system which leaves millions out, the New Vision might have got slightly carried away yesterday.

Tristan in Sierra Leone thinks US Embassies abroad need to get their act together and make absentee voting a different kind of experience:

Why don’t American embassies have early polling abroad for U.S. Citizens? What better way to gain support for democracy abroad by having a day for citizens to come place their votes, letting the entire world see our democracy in its full glory. There could be hot dogs, lemonade and “I voted” stickers, all at probably quite minimal cost. If they’re going to spend millions importing American-made office supplies that they could easily procure abroad, our embassies could at least spend a little money protecting Americans’ right to democracy.

(As a side note, a friend of mine said a few weeks ago, “Either this absentee ballot is too complicated or I’m too stupid to vote.”)

Nairobi Notes is waiting for the musical:

And Rob Crilly found the only McCain supporter in Africa,

Basically, this guy gets it if Obama wins. He’s going to be the celebration feast.