Spotlight On

Elections-related violence

Elections are indispensable instrument for functioning democracy. However, in some societies, and in particular in conflict prone societies, elections may hold great potential for triggering election-related violence. Kenya, Iran, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Moldova are all strong reminders of the fragility of electoral processes.

Serial Numbers on Ballots

A few countries like the UK and Singapore use serial numbers on ballots to avoid certain types of fraud. Additional security procedures are devised to ensure the secrecy of the vote.

Bad elections better than no elections?

According to the Economist, African leaders are getting better at rigging elections. At the same time authoritarian leaders nowadays have to devote more to secure victory and it is increasingly difficult to take away the people’s right to vote. For this reason, the Economist optimistically states that “Even bad elections are better than none”....

Gender Quotas

The parliamentary Justice Committee in Ireland proposed to introduce gender quotas for political parties, and an intense debate followed. Today, women still face major obstacles when entering politics, representing only 19% of the members of parliaments around the world, and the use of gender quotas could be a way to ensure their active and meaningful participation.

Voting Age

More and more nations across the world are considering new proposals to lower the minimum voting age: in countries like India, Malaysia, Bahrain and Finland, governments and EMBs are already discussing some reforms in this direction. People who oppose these reforms argue that young voters can be easily manipulated, while supporters of the reforms guarantee that participation will improve considerably. Electoral experts, psychologists and policymakers are still divided on this issue.

Early elections in Egypt?

In the last few weeks, the political situation in Egypt has deteriorated, and citizens and politicians are now requesting to hold early elections. Genuine democratic transitions, however, require time and efforts, and given its recent history many observers wonder if Egypt is ready to hold a free and fair election right now.

What type of majority is best suited to approve constitutional referendums?

Simple majority, meaning a vote of 50% +1; double majority – in which a majority according to more than one criterion is required (better protecting minority groups from being marginalized) or super majority, where the proposition passes if a predetermined number well above 50%.

What is a “normal threshold” of invalid votes?

In every election, a certain amount of the votes cast is considered invalid. This depends on the adherence to instructions given on how voting is to operate. If the percentage of invalid votes in an election is seen as high, it can increase the pressure for a recount of the results or even nullification and reorganization of the election.

Should floor-crossing be allowed?

When an elected member of parliament leaves their political party in order to join another party or become an independent candidate (i.e. cross the floor) should they be allowed to retain their seat in parliament? In other words, should floor-crossing be allowed?

Dual roles for the same NGO

Local and national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play different roles in the electoral process around the world: As activists/advocates of reform, as voter education trainers, as observers and more. Is there a conflict of interest? Always? Never? Under some circumstances?