Elections, Democracy, and Covid-19 in West Africa
Date and Time
Location
The Covid-19 pandemic poses a significant challenge for African elections. As countries continue to practice social distancing, the realities of containing community spread of the disease present numerous hurdles to the traditional voting process. West African governments—similar to global counterparts, including the United States—will have to weigh the tradeoffs between public safety and democratic imperatives. Leaders who decide to hold planned elections risk hastening the virus’s transmission. On the other hand, the Covid-19 outbreak presents an opportunity for leaders to strengthen their grip on power, exploiting health restrictions to suppress turnout, or even delay voting.
Keynote address from Professor Mahmood Yakubu Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)A discussion with Idayat Hassan Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Henry Kwasi Prempeh Executive Director, Center for Democracy and Development (CDD Ghana)
Rachel Beatty Reidl Director, Einaudi Center;
John S. Knight Professor of International Studies, Cornell University Moderated by Judd Devermont Director, CSIS Africa Program
ORGANIZER: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
WEBSITE: https://www.csis.org/events/online-event-elections-democracy-and-covid-19-west-africa