EHORN Region Policy Briefs
Policy Brief Dashboard: State of Elections in the East and Horn of Africa Region
This dashboard summarizes key findings from the E-HORN Policy Brief on electoral processes in Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. It highlights regional trends on electoral integrity, observation access, peer learning, civic space, Election Situation Rooms, information integrity and democratic resilience.
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Country Snapshot
Stable but Constrained Electoral Environment
Rwanda’s 2024 elections were peaceful and institutionally stable, but concerns remained around electoral competitiveness, opposition participation, civic space and independent observation access.
Delayed Democratic Transition
The postponement of elections underscored the need for sustained support to constitution-making, security sector reforms, electoral preparedness, civic education and inclusive dialogue.
Limited Regional Observation Access
The 2025 elections highlighted concerns around opposition participation, civic space, observer access, media freedoms and the need for stronger regional democratic accountability.
Missed Opportunities for Regional Learning
The electoral period was marked by restrictions on civic actors, opposition activity, media freedoms and accreditation barriers that limited regional observation and peer learning.
Challenges in Observation Accreditation
Uganda’s 2026 electoral context reflected concerns around opposition restrictions, civil society operating space, digital rights, observer accreditation and election-related information controls.
A Positive Learning Experience
Ethiopia provided an important peer-learning opportunity through engagement with election situation rooms, citizen observation models, media monitoring and electoral data systems.
Main Policy Challenges
- Restrictive access for regional observation: Accreditation and access limitations reduced opportunities for independent assessment and confidence building.
- Weak regional learning mechanisms: Electoral innovations and good practices often remain confined within national borders.
- Electoral unpreparedness: Post-conflict and transitional contexts require long-term investment in institutions, civic education, legal reforms and security arrangements.
- Information integrity risks: Misinformation, disinformation, online polarization, digital surveillance and platform manipulation increasingly affect electoral trust.
Why Regional Observation and Peer Learning Matter
Improve Election Preparedness
Peer learning helps institutions identify risks early, strengthen readiness and improve contingency planning.
Strengthen Citizen Observation
Regional exchanges support better recruitment, training, deployment, verification and reporting methodologies.
Promote Transparency
Shared practices on stakeholder engagement, results management and public communication can build public confidence.
Support Technology Adoption
Election situation rooms, GIS maps, results systems and media monitoring tools can be adapted across countries.
Support Conflict-Sensitive Elections
Regional learning strengthens early warning, mediation, dialogue and incident response systems.
Build Democratic Resilience
Cross-border cooperation helps electoral stakeholders respond collectively to shared democratic threats.
Policy Recommendations
1. Governments and Election Management Bodies
- Ensure open, transparent and inclusive accreditation for regional actors.
- Facilitate regional learning missions and technical exchanges.
- Institutionalize stakeholder dialogue to improve trust and electoral processes.
2. Regional Organizations
- Institutionalize regional electoral learning and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
- Operationalize regional and continental standards on observer accreditation.
- Support electoral preparedness in fragile and transitional contexts.
3. International Development Partners
- Invest in long-term democratic infrastructure beyond election day.
- Support regional learning missions, forums and exchange programmes.
- Strengthen digital electoral ecosystems and information integrity systems.
4. Civil Society and Observation Networks
- Build collaborative observation models across the region.
- Document and share electoral lessons and innovations.
- Expand South-South cooperation among African institutions.
Download the Full Policy Brief
Access the complete E-HORN Policy Brief on strengthening electoral integrity, observation access and regional learning in the East and Horn of Africa region.
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