Future Pandemics and Elections: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Central African Republic, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania

Pandemics and other health crises are predicted to become more common
in the future. This is likely to pose a variety of threats to electoral integrity.
This article argues that, by learning lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic,
the negative impacts on elections of viral outbreaks and other emergencies
can be mitigated in the future. It will begin by reviewing academic and grey
literature on COVID-19 and elections, before presenting research findings
from case study elections in Tanzania, Ghana, the Central African Republic,
and Kenya. The article will highlight specific challenges facing low- and
middle-income countries and argue that the protocols that were introduced
in these case study countries ultimately failed to adequately ensure the safety
of voters and election administrators by not addressing issues of compliance
and enforcement. It will then present: 1) recommendations designed to be
implemented in advance of future health crises, and 2) measures that should
be taken once such emergencies are underway.

File Type: pdf
Categories: Journal of African Elections
Tags: COVID-19, election preparations, emergencies, future pandemics, mitigation measures
2023 journal of african elections v22n2 eisa transparent democratic governance in africa