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In the midst of the extraordinary challenges and uncertainty stemming from COVID-19, decision-makers are under increasing pressure to determine how to manage the pandemic’s immediate impact on, and consequences for, the timing and sequencing of elections. These decisions cannot be taken lightly, as they could jeopardize public health and shape the state of democracy in their countries, states or territories for years to come.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this commentary are those of the authors, one of whom is a staff member of International IDEA. This commentary is independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the institutional position of International IDEA, its Board of Advisers or its Council of Member States.

La pandemia generará cambios drásticos. Es lo que proyectan todos los analistas. También en el ámbito político y especialmente en Latinoamérica, afirma Kevin Casas-Zamora, ex vicepresidente de Costa Rica y presidente del Instituto para la Democracia y la Asistencia Electoral.

El desafío, advierte en esta entrevista, es que los países aprovechen las crecientes presiones por cambios institucionales y constitucionales para hacer las reformas necesarias.

Has the coronavirus, aside from having severe consequences for public health and the economy, also been detrimental for democracy? And if so, should we expect passing side effects or permanent damage? 

International IDEA’s Director of Global Programs Laura Thornton talks to Justin Wein, chief of staff of U.S. Congressman David Price about ways in which their office has adapted in the COVID-19 environment. 

The second round of voting in Poland’s presidential election on 12 July will bring to a conclusion a remarkable electoral process, which saw a nearly all-time high turnout of voters during the first round on 28 June, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed critical developments in Africa that would otherwise have occupied front pages. This piece covers the recent backslide in Guinea, following President Alpha Conde’s third term temptation, and charts a hopeful positive end to the crisis. Crucially, it notes that 2020 will witness a number of peaceful alternations of power that the African Union should promote.

The citizen’s initiative “Observa Bolivia” is a partnership of 14 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), two nationwide networks and an academic body, which with the support of the European Union (EU) and International IDEA in Bolivia, will drive forward a process of Domestic Electoral Observation in the upcoming general election scheduled to be held in Bolivia on 6 September 2020.

La iniciativa ciudadana “Observa Bolivia”, es una alianza de 14 ONG, dos redes nacionales y una instancia académica, que con el apoyo de la Unión Europea y de IDEA Internacional en Bolivia, llevará adelante el proceso de Observación Electoral Doméstica en las próximas elecciones generales previstas para el 6 de septiembre de este año en Bolivia.

The new online platform, developed by International IDEA and supported by the EU, will track the impact of the pandemic on democracy and human rights around the world.

View this press release in Spanish - Está disponible en español. 

La nueva plataforma en línea, desarrollada por IDEA Internacional y respaldada por la UE, hará un seguimiento del impacto de la pandemia en la democracia y los derechos humanos en todo el mundo.

International IDEA organized a series of roundtables, between 15 and 24 June 2020, on online political advertising and microtargeting, together with the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and the European Commission. Online political advertising and microtargeting is attracting increasing attention from governments and citizens alike, with many examining whether more regulation and oversight is needed, and what form it can take.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, organized a virtual briefing on "The Impact of COVID-19 on Democracy and Democratic Development”, held on Thursday, 25 June 2020 at 10:00 EST.

The Policy Brief "Constitutional and Legal Perspective on the Philippines’ Covid-19 Response" provides a snapshot analysis of the response to COVID-19 in the Philippines through June 2020, recognizing the fluidity of the virus and the response itself. The Brief lays out the constitutional and legislative framework for the response as well as analysis on the constitutional issues that have arisen thus far.

La Oficina subregional de IDEA Internacional para México y Centroamérica tiene el honor de compartirles la dieciseisava entrega del “Boletín de Justicia Electoral” dedicado a las juventudes.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health challenge for anglophone countries of Central and West Africa, it is also a litmus test for the consolidation and sustainability of their democratic governance systems.

In that regard, respect for constitutionalism and rule of law during emergency contexts, adopted by governments to stop the spread of the virus, remains a priority.

Lazarus Chakwera’s victory as the new president of Malawi represents a remarkable reversal of fortunes for Peter Mutharika, who almost a year ago was declared the winner in national polls.

El presente número del Boletín de Justicia Electoral de IDEA Internacional recopila los principales ejemplos, datos, publicaciones y herramientas de análisis con el propósito de realizar un balance de las ventajas y desventajas de la implementación de mecanismos de participación ciudadana en México, Centroamérica y el Caribe.

COVID-19 response has been “a whole of Government effort”. 

More than 500 political, civil leaders, Nobel Laureates and pro-democracy institutions have signed an open letter to defend democracy, warning that the freedoms we cherish are under threat from governments that are using the crisis to tighten their grip on power.