their jobs or other sources of income. This will cause widespread social distress and
possibly political upheaval, especially among young people who, more than ever, lack
work and opportunities. This convergence of economic, social and political crises is a
recipe for unrest and instability.
Democratic elections might well be the spark that lights the fuse. More than 20 African
countries were expected to hold national elections in 2020. Many of them were still in
the midst of conflicts, just emerging from them, or on the verge. Only five of those—in
Togo, Guinea, Mali, Burundi and Malawi—proceeded as scheduled, some peacefully,
some with questionable outcomes. Fortunately, none seems to have provoked a covid-
19 surge.
Governments everywhere face a huge challenge: how do they impose strict social
restrictions to prevent contagion, while at the same time letting citizens participate
meaningfully in the electoral process? Looking ahead, fewer elections are scheduled in
Africa for 2021. Nevertheless, the same concerns apply.
This raises complex questions over fundamental human rights, the integrity of
democracy and the legitimacy of governments. The answers will involve difficult trade-
offs. But the citizens and leaders of Africa must be vigilant to ensure that the pandemic
does not become an excuse to avoid or postpone elections for political advantage, to
restrict civil society or to institute authoritarian and anti-democratic measures in the
name of public health.
What can be done to secure the democratic gains and individual freedoms that Africans
have won in recent times, often at great cost? There are several steps that governments
and the public can take, based on recommendations from an international group of
electoral experts convened by the Kofi Annan Foundation.
The foundational principle is the rule of law. Emergency measures relating to elections
should be grounded in constitutional provisions and electoral laws. Where the national
legal framework does not anticipate the current situation, legal changes should be made
in line with internationally accepted standards. The postponement of elections should
not be open-ended. Rather, there should be clarity and agreement on the health
conditions in which elections could take place safely.
Next, leaders should consult widely to build trust and consensus across the political
landscape. If they do not, emergency measures they introduce may be perceived as self-
serving, subverting the public trust needed to address the health crisis.
Third, transparency: governments and electoral authorities should provide clear and
frequent communication with the public. Citizens need to understand what measures
are being considered, by whom and on what grounds. The media and civil-society
groups have crucial roles to play in preserving democracy by monitoring policies,
fostering debate and shining light on critical issues. Governments must protect freedom
of expression. Cover-ups in politics, as in health care, only make matters worse.
Finally, any steps taken by governments—such as protective measures at polling
stations, or changes in how voters are registered, ballots are cast or votes are counted—