I wrote the 2012 Record of Actions on the state of democracy around the world for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
While elections have become universal, the report says, challenges to the integrity of elections are widespread and can be found in established and emerging democracies alike. Some groups – in particular women, indigenous peoples and youth – often face barriers to participation and representation. Uncontrolled, unregulated and opaque political finance has also compromised the equal opportunities of citizens to influence political outcomes, leading to voter apathy and distrust. In many countries, elections continue to be associated with a ‘winner takes all’ approach, fuelling the potential for conflict and violence.
International IDEA’s view is that elections do not serve the cause of democracy if they are manipulated; in fact, they give democracy a bad name. As an intergovernmental organization, it works globally to support democracy, so that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in public debate and cast their ballots, all votes are counted equally, and all candidates seeking election do so on a level playing field.
