Evaluate the Impact of Global Elections

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:

Discuss global election trends.
List ways that various countries are safeguarding the election process.

Democracy in Action

In the grand theater of world politics, elections are the pinnacle of democracy in action, a vivid tapestry woven from the diverse threads of human aspiration and hope. They’re not mere events but the very heartbeat of democratic governance from Washington DC’s busy streets to New Delhi’s vibrant markets to quaint English villages to the sun-drenched towns of South Africa. This rhythm of democracy, composed of billions of voices, resonates across continents. Ordinary citizens, wielding extraordinary power, shape the future of their nations with the simple act of casting a vote.

The scale of global participation is immense, having grown considerably since the 1990s. Key factors driving this growth include the end of the Cold War, which spurred democratic movements in various regions, the rise of multiparty elections throughout Africa, and a substantial increase in the worldwide population eligible to vote. According to the International IDEA Voter Turnout Database, a comprehensive resource that provides detailed information on voter participation in elections around the world, in India, the world’s largest democracy, over 900 million people are registered to vote, a figure symbolizing the vastness of democratic engagement.

In the United States, elections are not just national events but global spectacles, with over 220 million registered voters representing a deep-seated commitment to democratic ideals. The European Union (EU) showcases a unique form of democratic expression, with EU elections uniting over 400 million voters from different countries in a shared pursuit of regional progress and stability.

This scale of participation underscores the critical importance of maintaining security and fairness, ensuring that each voice can authentically contribute to shaping the future.

Historic Firsts and Trends

Global elections have not just been about choosing leaders; they’ve marked historic firsts and set trends that redefine democracy. Each election cycle shapes the narrative of human progress, reflecting our shared journey toward a more inclusive and representative form of governance.

Picture the historic moment when Liberia broke centuries-old gender barriers by electing Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Africa’s first female head of state. Similarly, envision the day New Zealand chose Jacinda Ardern as the world’s youngest female prime minister, a progressive leader renowned for emphasizing empathy and unity in her leadership approach. The United States witnessed a defining moment with the election of Barack Obama, the first African American president.

The 1994 election in South Africa was the first in South Africa’s history where citizens of all races were allowed to participate. In this election Nelson Mandela was elected and became South Africa’s first Black president, marking the end of the apartheid regime. Ireland experienced a groundbreaking change when Leo Varadkar was elected Taoiseach (a position equivalent to a prime minister). Varadkar became the first openly gay person to serve in this role. He was also the youngest and the first of Indian heritage in Irish history.

And the granting of voting rights to women across various nations marked pivotal moments in history when women were acknowledged as essential and contributing members of society.

When elections are secure and fair, they validate historic milestones and trends, ensuring that every step forward in our collective journey is genuine and true to the democratic spirit.

A group of diverse registered voters casting their vote.

Securing the Election Process

As technology becomes more integral to the electoral process, it brings to light vulnerabilities that external actors might exploit. Such interference not only threatens the integrity of individual elections but also the foundations of our political systems.

Understanding the serious implications of an insecure electoral process, the United States is one country that has taken decisive action by designating election infrastructure as critical infrastructure. This categorization signifies the high priority given to securing election systems. Moreover, this designation emphasizes, both within the US and on the global stage, the importance and protective status of election infrastructure.

To better understand these vulnerabilities in the election process, let’s look at some high-risk areas.

Campaigning: As candidates and political parties increasingly use social media and digital tools for voter outreach, they foster greater engagement.

Risk: This shift raises the risks of disseminating misleading information and unauthorized access to sensitive campaign data.

Electronic voter lists: The transition to digital voter lists streamlines registration and identification processes.

Risk: This introduces vulnerabilities where voter information could be accessed and altered, potentially leading to inaccurate registrations, unauthorized individuals casting votes, or eligible voters being incorrectly denied.

Digital voting: The use of electronic voting machines and online voting systems accelerates the vote-counting process.

Risk: Their connectivity to the internet can lead to unauthorized access to data, potentially compromising the accuracy and security of vote recording and tallying.

Data management: Managing the sensitive information involved in elections, such as voter preferences and the results tally, is critical.

Risk: Securing this data against potential theft or human error (for example, accidental leaks) presents a significant challenge.

Geopolitics: The influence of geographical and political factors on the electoral process and its outcomes.

Risk: Governments may sponsor cyberattacks against other nations as a form of covert warfare targeting election systems and strategically spreading misinformation and propaganda online to destabilize the election process.

Strategies for Enhancing the Election Process

To address these challenges, government bodies, election management organizations, and policy makers in various countries have collaborated to implement specific strategies.

Strategy	Country
View the election process holistically to ensure comprehensive protection.	Estonia is recognized for its digital governance and is a world leader in secure internet voting (i-Voting), which is an integral part of its e-governance approach.
Develop and enforce legislation and policy to enhance cybersecurity and enable effective information sharing among all involved parties.	Japan has implemented legislation and policies to bolster cybersecurity measures across different sectors, including efforts to secure its information infrastructure.
Standardize threat data and transparency to build public trust and counteract misinformation effectively.	The US has made significant strides in organizing and sharing information about cyberthreats and enhancing the country’s overall cybersecurity posture
Support election management bodies (EMBs) enables EMBs to uphold high cybersecurity standards.	Sweden’s approach to supporting EMBs includes not only government-backed initiatives but also partnerships with NGOs, enhancing the resilience of its election processes.

These countries demonstrate that successful strategies in election cybersecurity require a multifaceted approach involving integrated systems, strong legislation, collaborative data standardization, and substantial support for election management bodies. Each country’s approach is tailored to its specific electoral system and cyber landscape, providing valuable models for other nations to consider.

As we move forward, the role of cybersecurity in elections will only grow in importance. It’s a continuous journey of adapting to new threats and finding innovative solutions. In this digital era, the sanctity of the vote and the stability of political systems depend on our ability to protect our electoral systems from cyberthreats, making cybersecurity not just a technical issue, but a cornerstone of modern democracy.

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