The list of possible causes of electoral violence is long. At the most basic level, electoral violence is employed to either coercively maintain or achieve power, including to “to enforce patriarchal control of democratic institutions” (Bardall 2018).[1] Specific incentives that political actors (such as candidates and supporters, security sector agencies, protestors, organized crime groups and terrorists) may have to resort to violent tactics include (Alihodzic 2011):[2]
§ Seeking electoral advantages – is usually an incentive for those who compete in a high-stake elections. Such violent acts are directed against political competitors and their supporters and may include threats, coercion, intimidation, assassinations, etc.
§ Disrupting elections – is often an incentive for those who do not compete in elections. They may be excluded from the electoral processes (disenfranchised groups) or have particular interest in elections being spoiled or not taking place at all. Violent tactics may include terrorist acts targeting electoral actors, events and materials.
§ Preventing election manipulations – is an incentive of those who share perceptions that elections are manipulated or rigged. Electoral processes may be designed and implemented in a way which will favour one electoral contestant over another. Parties and individuals who feel that the process is manipulated to their disadvantage may take action to bring an end to such practices, even through violent means. In addition to opposition parties, protesters may include civil society organizations and other social groups and individuals who feel that they are pursuing their legitimate rights. Violent acts are often directed against government buildings and offices.
§ Violence as a response to initial violence is also a likely development in all the above scenarios. Even the most righteous protests may involve violent episodes as the victims of violence also respond with violence.
Violence against women is an important feature in all cases above, often motivated by desire to punish women for their participation in the electoral process as their participation threatens the dominance of a male power structure.[3] This issue deserves a special attention and is therefore elaborated in the consequent section.
[1] Gabrielle S. Bardall (2018), Violence, Politics and Gender, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics, retrieved from https://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/violence_politics_and_gender.pdf
[2] Sead Alihodzic (2011) in ed. Iff A. Ballots or Bullets Potentials and Limitations of Elections in Conflict Contexts Swisspeace Annual Conference 2010, Swisspeace
[3] UNDP, UNWOMEN (2017) Preventing Violence Against Women in Elections: A Programming Guide
