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Protecting elections in the face of natural hazards
June 20, 2024
• By
Erik Asplund, Maddie Harty, Sarah Birch, Ferran Martinez i Coma
View of flooded New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Natural hazards not only present a huge humanitarian threat but also unparalleled challenges to electoral stakeholders seeking to protect electoral integrity during emergencies. Events like floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires can trigger the postponement of elections, affect campaigns, and impact electoral operations and the choices that voters make.
Between January 2019 and May 2024, more than 20 countries were affected by natural hazards during subnational or national elections. In the Asia-Pacific in 2024 alone, India, Indonesia, Iran, Maldives and Tuvalu have all been struck by acute weather events during national elections.
For the full article please visit Preventionweb.net (UNDRR)
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About the authors
Erik Asplund
- Senior Programme Officer, Elections and Crisis
Senior Programme Officer, Elections and Crisis
Erik Asplund is a Senior Programme Officer in the Electoral Processes Programme, International IDEA.His research covers elections during emergencies and crises, risk management in elections, and…
Maddie Harty
- Independent consultant
Independent consultant
Maddie Harty is an independent consultant. Her work includes contributions to the Impact of Natural Hazards on Elections, the Global Election Monitor, and training on electoral administration. Her MA…
Sarah Birch
- Professor of Political Science and Director of Research
Professor of Political Science and Director of Research
Professor of Political Science and Director of Research (Department of Political Economy), Kings College London
Ferran Martinez i Coma
- Senior Lecturer
Senior Lecturer
Ferran Martinez i Coma is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University, Queensland. Ferran previously held academic posts at the University of…
