By Seun Akinyemi and Vincy Mighulo Masaka, Project Officers - Host Liaison, Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI).
The Evolving Role of Civil Society in Electoral Democracy
Civil society organisations (CSOs) can play a significant role in strengthening and deepening democracy, helping to connect democratic states and citizens, particularly in an era of rapid technological advances.
CSOs’ advocacy and watchdog roles and participatory influence make them critical to the successful evolution of technology for electoral processes. They can shape the future of electoral technology that improves the integrity of electoral processes and outcomes.
Elections are integral components of democracy, enabling voters to participate in shaping their country’s future. 2024 was a year of many opportunities for democracy, with 74 national elections worldwide. CSOs played an indispensable role in many of these, both in countries where elections were exercises in democracy and those that were more problematic. In Ghana, for instance, BudgIT Ghana, a CIVICUS Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) partner, used X/Twitter to educate citizens about the voting process ahead of election day. Meanwhile, Fundacion Efecto Cocuyo’s podcast series in Venezuela, brought critical electoral issues into public discourse and featured the National Electoral Council’s head, Aimée del Nogal, in one episode – although the election results were widely seen as fraudulent.
CSOs can play a vital role in promoting informed participation, transparency and electoral integrity, even in challenging contexts. There is a need for flexible support to scale up such initiatives to promote inclusive and credible electoral processes globally.
Electoral Technology in Action: Lessons from 2024
The number of internet users worldwide has been increased in recent years, reaching 5.52 billion (67.5 per cent) as of October 2024. There are also 5.22 billion social media users (63.8 per cent). The expanding use of the internet can be credited to the availability of smartphones, improved internet connectivity and more affordable data subscriptions.
It is therefore imperative for CSOs to use the internet to share information on elections with citizens. And many CSOs indeed used internet technology for their advocacy during 2024 electoral processes because of its ease and speed of reaching more people within a short period of time.
Fundacion Efecto Cocuyo has over 850,000 X followers and they used the platform to share election-related content. Another partner, União Nacional dos Estudantes de Moçambique, used WhatsApp to fight misinformation during elections in Mozambique. BudgIT Ghana developed an election incident mapping platform for people to report any disruptions and irregularities on election day. Iwatch in Tunisia also set up a platform for fact-checking news during elections in Tunisia.
These examples demonstrate the uses of technology in enhancing electoral processes, from combating misinformation to empowering citizens to participate actively. However, it is critical to address gaps arising from the digital divides and strengthen digital literacy to expand the use of technology for better electoral processes.
Despite these tremendous contributions of technology to 2024 elections, significant challenges remain. While digital engagement has thrived in many places, 32.5 per cent of the global population remains offline, creating a distinct inequality in access. Prioritising social media and internet users could leave other citizens on the margins.
A further challenge is disinformation, spread widely on social media and distorting facts and confusing voters. This is a global issue, affecting global south and global north countries. Activists have also been intimidated because of the content they posted about elections on social media.
In another worrying trend, governments in several regions employed internet shutdowns to control the flow of information and suppress dissent during and after election periods. Mozambique was a prominent example. The authorities deliberately restricted internet access, hindering communication, silencing activists and limiting citizens’ ability to voice their disappointment with the election process. A DDI report showed that the Senegalese government employed digital repression tactics, including internet shutdowns censorship and surveillance, during the presidential election. This affected communication during the election period.
Civic space restrictions have increased in numerous countries, and in some, such as Tunisia and Venezuela, authorities have taken extreme measures against activists during the election period. In both countries, the imposition of severe restrictions on civil society, such as forced closure of CSOs, arbitrary detainment of activists and opposition figures and intimidation of citizens, created a climate of fear, severely compromising the legitimacy of elections and therefore of democracy itself. These restrictions highlight an urgent need for a more inclusive approach to civic engagement that would bridge the gap between digital and traditional strategies, ensuring that all citizens, particularly those from excluded groups, have a voice in shaping their future.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A Roadmap for Enhanced Electoral Processes
2025 is going to be another significant year for democracy, with over 30 countries potentially heading to the polls. This is around half the number of national elections held in 2024, implying that globally, with fewer elections to focus on, CSOs, governments, donor agencies and multilateral institutions could be able to devote more resources to ensuring the credibility and integrity of these elections. Increased attention and support can help strengthen democratic processes and institutions, ultimately leading to elections that are more free, fair and transparent. CSOs in countries planning to hold elections in 2025 can adapt and scale successful initiatives. This requires strategic planning to replicate the success of pilot projects while considering key factors such as cultural nuances, local regulations, organisational capacity and the social and political climate.
Shaping the Future of Digital Democracy
By 2030, technology will profoundly redefine electoral landscapes. While its advances hold vast potential, thoughtful implementation is essential to avoid consequences such as disinformation, internet restrictions and unequal access. To maximise the benefits of digital democracy while addressing these complexities, the following strategies are recommended:
- Promote media literacy: help citizens develop the skills to critically evaluate information, fostering informed and empowered electorates.
- Implement regulatory safeguards: develop balanced policies that protect online freedoms while mitigating harmful practices.
- Enhance civic education: create robust public engagement programmes that aim to cultivate democratic values and encourage broad participation in electoral processes.
A Call to Action for Civil Society
It's time for civil society around the world to take action. The future of digital technology in elections is upon us. The evolution of technology has the potential to increase transparency, accountability and civic engagement in elections, but it also could make things worse.
CSOs should consider these action points:
- Advocate for inclusive and accessible digital technologies that cater to diverse needs, including those of excluded groups.
- Promote digital literacy programmes to enable citizens to critically evaluate online information and navigate digital platforms effectively.
- Support the development of secure and transparent digital electoral systems to ensure the integrity and credibility of electoral processes.
- Encourage collaboration between governments, civil society and technology providers to ensure that digital technologies are used responsibly and ethically.
- Mobilise citizens effectively to foster deeper engagement and participation in shaping democratic outcomes.
The 2025 Mandate
Lessons from 2024 illustrate the potential and risks of digital tools to shape democratic outcomes. In 2025, it is imperative for CSOs, governments and multilateral institutions to build on these insights, ensuring technology serves as a force for inclusion, transparency and empowerment. Ultimately, the success of electoral technology lies in its ability to bridge divides, amplify excluded voices and reaffirm the foundational principles of democracy.
