5 February 2026
ERC Press Statement on the International Day of Elections 2026
As the world commemorates the International Day of Elections on the first Thursday of the month of February every year, the Election Resource Centre (ERC Africa) reaffirms that credible, inclusive, and transparent elections are the foundation of democratic governance.
This year’s commemoration comes on the backdrop of an increasing trend of disputed elections. Recent elections in Africa have highlighted persistent challenges related to the realisation of free, fair and credible elections in Africa. Recurring shortcomings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to the administration and oversight of electoral processes. The arrest of Dr Sarah Birette in Uganda and post-election developments in countries such as Tanzania and Uganda raise important questions around the restricting civic space and the role of regional bodies in relation to election oversight and holding States to account. These experiences offer critical lessons for the region as countries prepare for elections in the coming period, before there is a total collapse in the trust relationship with elections as a tool for democratic governance
Additionally the ERC takes this opportunity to spotlight women’s participation in governance and electoral participation which remains a critical concern. Despite constitutional guarantees, women continue to face structural barriers, economic exclusion, political violence, and growing forms of online abuse that limit their full and equal participation as voters, candidates, and political leaders. ERC calls for deliberate and sustained measures to promote women’s political participation. ERC urges stakeholders to strengthen regulatory frameworks and safeguards to protect women participation.
As Southern Africa looks ahead to forthcoming elections, ERC calls on governments, electoral management bodies, political parties, and regional institutions to uphold the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and regional Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Elections must be inclusive, participatory, and reflective of the will of the people, before, during, and after polling day.
ABOUT ELECTION RESOURCE CENTRE AFRICA
The ERC Africa is a think tank and advocacy organisation on electoral and democracy issues in Africa that was established in 2010. The organisation was formed following the need to deepen electoral research work in Africa that would inform effective citizen participation as well as strengthen policy engagement towards improvement of the quality of electoral and democratic practices. The ERC Africa envisions “an Africa with transparent, credible and inclusive electoral and democratic processes at all tiers of society.
For more details or clarification, please contact the ERC Africa erczimbabwe@gmail.com
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