A recent survey conducted by a governance watchdog has revealed a crisis of faith among voters in numerous countries towards their democracies and institutions.
The findings, published on Thursday by the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), paint a concerning picture amidst a year when over half of the world’s population is set to participate in elections.
With major nations like the United States, India, Britain, and the European Union gearing up for elections in 2024, the report offers a sobering assessment of the perceived health of democracies worldwide.
According to the survey results, voters in 11 out of 19 countries, including the United States and India, expressed doubt regarding the fairness of their most recent elections, with less than half believing them to be free and fair.
Notably, only voters in Denmark expressed confidence that courts consistently provide access to justice. Additionally, in 8 out of 19 countries, a greater number of people held favorable views towards “a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with parliament or elections” compared to those who held unfavorable views.
In response to these findings, Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, emphasized the need for democracies to address public skepticism by enhancing governance and combating the spread of disinformation, which has led to baseless allegations against credible elections.
Looking ahead, the upcoming presidential election in the United States is anticipated to feature a rematch between incumbent Democrat Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, who previously made unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud following his loss in 2020.
The survey revealed that only 47 percent of respondents in the United States expressed confidence in the credibility of the country’s electoral processes.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament elections scheduled for June are expected to witness significant gains for far-right parties, potentially influencing policies ranging from support for Ukraine amidst Russia’s invasion to initiatives addressing climate change.
In February, the parliament condemned Russian efforts to undermine European democracy.
Conducted between July 2023 and January 2024, the survey polled approximately 1,500 individuals in each of the 19 countries surveyed, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, The Gambia, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Korea, and Tanzania.