The initial focus of this study was on exploring the potential impact of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on future elections in Africa. The
Fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally changing the way we live,
work and relate to one another. In its scale and complexity, 4IR could change
humanity and human existence as we presently know it. The suddenness
with which the novel coronavirus pandemic has shut down life across the
globe, including the cancellation and postponement of scheduled elections,
led to a realignment of the research goals. The study thus includes ways in
which 4IR and unforeseen global emergencies like pandemics can impact
future elections, with specific reference to Africa.