IFES Experts Co-Author British Academy Briefing on Elections During COVID-19

Governments should consider innovative measures to safeguard democratic elections from the risks associated with COVID-19, says a new briefing published by the British Academy and co-authored by International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) experts.

How to Hold Elections Safely and Democratically During the COVID-19 Pandemic explores how elections can be held safely and freely under pandemic conditions and outlines how national and regional governments have effectively tackled electoral challenges related to COVID-19.

The briefing draws on lessons from elections held during the pandemic and previous health crises to address five areas of vulnerability: inclusive and accountable electoral management, poll worker safeguarding, interinstitutional collaboration, feasible and effective election observation and the risk of electoral violence.

The briefing’s authors include IFES Senior Research Officer Fernanda Buril, Senior Global Electoral Operations and Administration Advisor Staffan Darnolf and Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Vasu Mohan.

Read the briefing, How to Hold Elections Safely and Democratically During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Learn more at IFES’ COVID-19 Survival Guide for Democracies.

Follow #COVIDxDemocracy for new analysis and innovative solutions during the pandemic.

Contact media@ifes.org for more information.

Published on August 21, 2020.