International IDEA is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Keboitse Machangana, an indefatigable defender of democracy and women’s rights. We extend our sincere condolences to her family.
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The G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad) will organize elections in 2020 and 2021.
These elections will take place in a context in which all are facing serious humanitarian and security challenges, aggravated by the fragility of their institutions. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts worsen the situation and even raise questions about the possibility to organize elections in so volatile an environment.
The G5 Sahel countries—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger—will organize elections in 2020 and 2021. These elections will take place in a context in which all are facing serious humanitarian and securities challenges, aggravated by the fragility of their institutions. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic impacts worsen the situation and even raise questions about the possibility to organize elections in so volatile an environment.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to democracies. A new report identifies initiatives that governments and civil society need to take to rise to this challenge.
STOCKHOLM—Democracies around the world need to adopt new initiatives to ensure the lasting protection of democracy and civil liberties threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEW REPORT ON COVID-19 AND DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR URGENT MEASURES BY GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY
A new report, ‘Global Democracy and COVID-19: Upgrading International Support’, was published on 15 July and highlights how some governments are using the public health crisis to further curtail democratic activities and provides recommendations for policymakers and civil society to counteract the negative impacts of COVID-19 on democracy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 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.
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.
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.