Strengthening the Legitimacy of Elections in a Time of Radical Uncertainty
Top report finding: 1/8
In 2024, one in three voters live in a country where the quality of elections has declined.
Top report finding: 2/8
Between 2020 and 2024, in almost one in five elections a losing candidate or party rejected the electoral outcome.
Top report finding: 3/8
Electoral participation has declined, and at the same time elections are increasingly disputed.
Top report finding: 4/8
Declines in the quality of democracy continue to outnumber advances. One in four countries is moving forward, while four in nine are worse off.
Top report finding: 5/8
Declines have been most concentrated in Representation and Rights.
Top report finding: 6/8
Even high-performing countries have suffered significant deterioration, especially in Europe and the Americas.
Top report finding: 7/8
Despite substantial progress in improving electoral administration, disputes about the credibility of elections deal mainly with irregularities in voting and vote counting.
Top report finding: 8/8
Despite the challenges, elections retain their promise of empowering the people. Incumbents have lost in many highly watched elections in 2023 and 2024.
