Are you a professional or academic working on elections? Are you interested in electoral processes worldwide? Share your assessment and experience with Rights! We are looking for academics, practitioners, and activists working in the field of human rights and democracy with a particular interest in electoral processes.
The majority of countries in the world hold elections. These may or may not be competitive and may or may not fulfill the international standards for democratic elections and electoral integrity. The following countries, among others, will likely elect their presidents or governments in 2017:
- Turkmenistan: Presidential election in February 2017
- Ecuador: National Congress and Presidential election in February 2017
- Bulgaria: National Assembly election in March 2017
- Niue: Niue Assembly in March 2017
- Micronesia: Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia election in March 2017
- Netherlands: Second Chamber election in March 2017
- Serbia: Presidential election in April 2017
- Gambia: National Assembly election in April 2017
- Armenia: National Assembly election in April 2017
- Cayman Islands: Legislative Assembly election in May 2017
- Iran: Presidential election in May 2017
- France: Presidential election in May and National Assembly election in June 2017
- Albania: Parliamentary election in June 2017
- Papua New Guinea: National Parliament elections in June 2017
- Senegal: National Assembly election in July 2017
- Rwanda: Presidential election in August 2017
Source: IFES Election Guide (to be regularly updated)
Nevertheless, elections are not only about casting the ballot on the Election Day. Electoral processes involve many other aspects such as design and drafting of legislation, electoral reform, electoral campaigns, and electoral disputes resolution, among others. While technical aspects play an important role, elections are a political issue, a minimum requirement for democracy and the way to peacefully settle political disputes. Through free, fair and inclusive electoral process, communities gain better access to their human rights. Notably in developing societies, however, election may have a strong political implication and influence stability and democratic development.
Throughout 2017, we welcome contributions in all sections of Rights! on elections conducted (or to be conducted) worldwide, but also their preparation and follow up. Attention can be paid to technical, political, legal and human rights aspects of electoral processes. Assessment can focus on, although it is not limited to, electoral integrity, especially its political dimension, fraud and mitigation measures, electoral violence, legal frameworks, electoral procedures and the work of EMBs, use of technology, inclusive participation, voter awareness and the role of civil society. Comparative perspective and electoral cycle approach will be particularly welcome. Contributions can also include analysis of electoral reform processes, democratic and political approaches to elections.
Guidelines for submission
Deadline: there is no deadline, contributions are welcome throughout the year.
Style/references/length: please follow the blog’s style and references and specific guidelines for the section you are contributing to:
- Agora for more academic pieces;
- Beginnings for young scholars/graduates’ work;
- Speakers’ corner for short and engaging blog posts;
- Notebook for interviews, case studies or reports ;
- The TLA zone for testimonies, teaching projects, awareness-raising materials.
Typology: Submissions may consist of written pieces, videos, presentations, pod/webcasts, photo essays, advocacy tools or other creative and action-oriented piece of work.
Include a short professional bio
Submit your contribution to contact@rightsblog.net
Submitted posts will be reviewed and selected by the editors of Rights!. We will let authors know within two to four weeks from submission if their post will be published. For any queries, please write to contact@rightsblog.net
Rights! 