Citizens should be placed at the forefront of any democracy assessment process, as they best understand their countries’ dynamics, culture, history and priorities.

In 2014, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan conducted two rounds of presidential elections. Abudullah Abdullah won the first round with 45% of the votes. However, as required under Afghan election law, a second round of balloting was conducted between the two candidates with the highest number of votes, Abudullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, since neither received a majority. Ghani won the second round on14 June with 56.44 % of the vote.

Due to deep-seated regional, ethnic and religious cleavages, elections in Nigeria have been bitterly contested ever since their reintroduction in 1999. In a country where politics is widely regarded as the way to access power and resources, the stakes are invariably high, but the context of the 2015 elections was particularly worrying. Goodluck Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had been in power since the return to multiparty democracy in 1999 and was widely regarded as corrupt and high-handed.

In Kenya, all elections since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992 have resulted in serious violence, with the exception of the 2002 general election. Notably, the controversial 2007 general election led to post-election violence causing over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of over 600,000 people.

In April 2006, Nepal’s major political parties formed an alliance and united with the Maoists in a mass movement and uprising against the monarchy. This led to a reinstated parliament, and the formation of a coalition government that initiated a peace process with the Maoists. The peace process continued to move forward, leading to a Comprehensive Peace Agreement bringing to an end to the war, placed the Nepal Army in barracks and Maoist combatants in cantonments and provided for their supervision by the United Nations.

In 2013, Tunisia’s democratic transition was under serious threat. The assassination of opposition politicians, Chokri Belaid (February 2013) and Mohamed Brahmi (July 2013), precipitated widespread protest and social unrest, which led to the collapse of the government of Hamdi Jebali and paralyzed the National Constituent Assembly. After President Mohamed Morsi was ousted in Egypt in July 2013, many feared that Tunisia would see a return to authoritarianism or a descent into anarchy. Trust between political parties was at an all-time low and political polarization was seemingly entrenched.

The 1990s was a difficult decade for Peru. Political violence and an economic crisis led to a weakening of the political party system and deep citizen mistrust of democracy and politics. The following decade saw further challenges, beginning with a transitioning government after the fall of President Fujimori’s regime and efforts to promote democracy and citizens’ trust. Social demands were not always appropriately met, and hundreds of social conflicts erupted. This all generated an overall atmosphere of mistrust in political parties and politicians.

Following decades of military rule and local armed conflicts, the 2015 elections represented a significant turning point for Myanmar, which is now undergoing its democratic transition. In 2013, Myanmar’s Union Election Commission (UEC) started to engage with political parties to prepare for the elections. Given the strength of the opposition since the 2012 by-elections and country’s electoral history, which until 2010 involved overturning election results and incarcerating members of political parties, the level of trust between the political parties and the UEC was low.

Elections in Ghana have been fraught with acts of intimidation and violence, thuggery, acrimony and rancor since 1992, leading to the wanton destruction of property and a number of casualties. Ballot boxes have also been snatched and destroyed on election days.

Despite Georgia’s turbulent political past, the country has made significant democratic progress. It has made commendable efforts to curb corruption and increase the effectiveness of the bureaucracy. Plurality and political competition, as well as the peaceful change of government in 2012 and the well-organized, free elections in October 2016 provide solid foundations for future progress.