When Is It Democratic to Postpone an Election? Elections During Natural Disasters, COVID-19, and Emergency Situations

Abstract

Holding regular elections is an essential feature of democratic practices. The case for postponing elections is often made during emergency situations, however. Despite the critical nature of the issue for democracy, peace, and security, there has been sparse academic literature on election postponement. This article provides a new typology of reasons why elections might be delayed to disentangle the causal factors and normative rationale. It distinguishes the humanitarian case for temporary postponements during natural disasters. It then argues that substantive concepts of democracy and electoral integrity, rather than existing international/national laws and standards, should be used to inform decisions about postponement by relevant stakeholders, be it an electoral management body (EMB), government, parliament, or the judiciary. The possible effects of natural disasters on electoral integrity are traced through a comparative analysis of past cases. The article holds that variations in context and the ability of actors to strategically adapt to situations will make the effects contingent. Nonetheless, holding elections during natural disasters will often lead to severely compromised opportunities for deliberation, contestation, participation, and election management quality. There is therefore a strong, democratic case for time-limited postponement. However, the postponement will break institutional certainty, which could pose threats of democratic breakdown-especially in presidential systems. The best available safeguards for electoral integrity during natural disasters include the introduction or expansion of low-tech solutions such as early voting, strengthened risk management, but also transparency and inclusivity in decision making. Overall, there are important lessons for the broader scholarship and practice of democracy during emergency situations.

(De)politicization of COVID-19 Pandemic in the Implementation of 2020 Simultaneous Regional Elections

“…However, election administration has experienced delays due to certain conditions such as natural disasters or health crises. Humanitarian factors became a force majeure which powerful enough in defeating the urgency of holding elections (James & Alihodzic, 2020). Furthermore, James & Alihodzic stated that although this condition is theoretically justified, further consequences such as the integrity of the election administration, the readiness of supporting bodies such as the judiciary, legislative and executive sectors must be examined.…”

“…The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic brings new challenges on in holding general elections around the world. James & Alihodzic ( 2020 James & Alihodzic also added, the requirements for holding democratic elections if they are carried out regularly and periodically (Dahl 1971;Przeworski 1999in James & Alihodzic, 2020. This perspective on democratic elections is enshrined in Article 21 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN General Assembly 1948), furthermore, this kind of meaning has been widely adapted into the concept of elections with integrity (Norris 2014).…”

Wählen in der Pandemie: Herausforderungen und Konsequenzen

“…Die Verschiebung von Wahlen hat zum Ziel, sie nicht in einer Hochphase, sondern in einem Wellental des Infektionsgeschehens stattfinden zu lassen. Auch wenn die Verschiebung von Wahlen unter außerordentlichen Umständen auf den ersten Blick plausibel und gerechtfertigt erscheint, so berge sie zugleich Risiken, betonen James und Alihodzic ( 2020 ). Insbesondere werde durch eine Verschiebung des Wahltermins und damit die potenzielle Verlängerung politischer Machtausübung durch die Amtsinhaber:innen die Erwartungssicherheit der Bürger:innen in das Funktionierens der zentralen Institutionen des Staates und damit gegebenenfalls die electoral integrity (Norris 2014 ) beschädigt.…”

“…Insbesondere werde durch eine Verschiebung des Wahltermins und damit die potenzielle Verlängerung politischer Machtausübung durch die Amtsinhaber:innen die Erwartungssicherheit der Bürger:innen in das Funktionierens der zentralen Institutionen des Staates und damit gegebenenfalls die electoral integrity (Norris 2014 ) beschädigt. So sei es für die Bewahrung der Integrität und Legitimität von Wahlen zentral, bei allen Entscheidungen, die Teile des Wahlzyklus betreffen – die Vorwahlperiode, den Wahlkampf, den Wahltag selbst und die Nachwahlperiode –, auf Transparenz und die Inklusion unterschiedlicher Interessen zu achten (James und Alihodzic 2020 ). Daher sei, wenn irgend möglich, der Einführung bzw.…”

Digital technologies in the electoral process: theoretical aspects of compliance with democratic standards

“…Проблема відкладення виборів актуалізувалася у зв'язку з поширення пандемії коронавірусу в 2020 році. З 21 лютого по 18 серпня 2020 року вибори буди відкладені щонайменше у 70 країнах та регіонах по всьому світу [1]. Вказане є допустимим з погляду конституційної доктрини.…”