News & Analysis: Elections
“COVID-19 may have increased the risk of electoral violence in four key ways: facilitating clampdowns on political opposition, fueling the proliferation of disinformation, worsening economic fragility and delaying elections.”
“African elections held early on in the pandemic have compelled urgent adaptations and innovations to electoral processes and timelines.”
“At one-point, former head of state Joyce Banda told people at a rally that there was no COVID-19 in Malawi. In the end Malawians paid a price as infection figures increased dramatically after the elections.”
“Although confirmed cases have decreased significantly in recent months, relatively few tests are carried out in CAR, leaving the real extent of the pandemic in the country only partially known. The outbreak of election-related violence aggravated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were closed again in mid-December.”
“Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced Sunday that he had recovered from COVID-19 and ordered preparation of a new election law to be ready within 15 days to pave the way for early parliamentary and local elections.”
“The prices for Nigerian Bonny Light and Angolan Cabinda crudes have regained some lost ground in November thanks to the Pfizer vaccine news and the U.S. elections. Given that both countries face enormous debt servicing challenges, these higher oil prices will help to replenish government coffers.”
“Elections have often seen rising costs, but these financial challenges have increased in scope due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is primarily because of costs related to risk mitigation measures, which include both health and safety and special voting arrangements.”
“Burundi on Wednesday expelled the representative of the World Health Organization and three senior health experts deployed to Bujumbura over unspecified reasons.”
“There are growing concerns over the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as mass rallies draw thousands into jam-packed public spaces across the country, and hospital workers speak of a spike in cases.”
“2020 is casting Magufuli in the worst of lights. His COVID-19 response throws other, negative aspects of the president and his programme into sharp relief. Instead of validating his vision it is bringing critical, dissenting perspectives to the fore.”
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