2020 should have been a year of landmark elections across Africa. From Ethiopia to Uganda, to Ghana and Somalia where general elections are meant to take place. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic took the world by storm and did not only constitute a health crisis but also meant that major events in public life could not go on as usual.
Now, with over 140,000 confirmed Infections across the continent, the 18 African countries scheduled to hold elections this year either had to postponed or put preparations on hold. Countries like Burundi, Malawi, Guinea and Benin held elections amidst the pandemic but only Benin was reported to have observed public safety protocols. In Burundi, rallies were held in which little to no social distancing was observed while Mauritius is adopting voting by proxy provision for its citizens.
As countries begin to ease restrictions on movement and daily activity, elections will commence in countries like Nigeria where gubernatorial polls are scheduled for August. The electoral body in Nigeria has also created a policy guide for voting in the time of a pandemic like the COVID-19 one. Elections will be treated as essential services, voters will observe strict social distancing rules and election observers will observe online, this puts a constraint on holding public officers accountable and ensuring that the electoral process is not rigged.
In Malawi, presidential elections which were scheduled for July 2 have now been brought forward to June 23. Recall that in March, President Mutharika banned large public gatherings meaning election campaigns could not hold. While experts anticipated that the election would be postponed, it was brought forward instead. This raises questions on the preparedness on the electoral body for an early election and if public health measures are accurate enough to let citizens come out and vote.
Ethiopia’s general election originally scheduled for 29 August was postponed indefinitely, this means voter registration, party registration and other electioneering activities will stop. The electoral body said a new date would be announced “when the pandemic is over”. Since there is no end to COVID-19 in sight, Ethiopians may be waiting for a long time. But these could buy more time for the electoral body to prepare better and for opposition groups to strengthen alliances.
In South Sudan, former rebel leader and first vice president tested positive to COVID-19, alongside his wife and his members of staff. The outbreak of the coronavirus alongside recent violence in the Jonglei state could put a strain on the peace deal that saw Machar come into power in February over talks to end the 9-year war in the region.
Amidst the COVID19 pandemic, Guinea held a referendum which received overwhelming support; the presidential time limit is now two terms. While this is a win for democracy in Guinea, this law does not apply in retrospect as the current president will still be able to seek another term in the December 2020 elections. If he wins, he can remain in power till 2030.
Somali will be holding a one person one-vote parliamentary elections for the first time in November this year but the outbreak of the coronavirus is a potential threat to holding this election.
In South Africa, the elderly, the disabled and electoral officials can vote in advance or ahead of the general population
In Africa, just like the rest of the world, it is no longer business as usual. In the countries where elections have held, there is the common issue of low voter turnout. In Benin Republic, opposition parties boycotted polls over political brawls and the COVID-19 outbreak, a 25% turnout was recorded. The question remains, can we hold credible and safe elections?
For Chidi Odinkalu, human rights activist and lawyer, it is a choice between flawed ballots and elongated tenures but insists on responsibility an accountability. “African governments facing an election over the next year have an incentive to manage the COVID-19 crisis with a serious sense of responsibility,” he says.
