Democracy's Core Institution: Clean Elections Across the World

Abstract

This report takes a closer look at a core institution of democracy, i.e. elections. Using the V-Dem Clean Elections Index and its subcomponents, we examine the state of clean elections across the world for 2000-2023. We show that:
• The integrity of elections is now increasingly threatened both in democracies and autocracies.
• Free- and fairness of elections and EMB autonomy are most frequently under attack, worsening substantially in 45 and 42 countries, respectively.
• 61% of all deteriorations in the integrity of elections since 2000, are found in countries that are now classified as autocracies.
• EMB autonomy is the most frequently attacked aspect of elections in autocracies. 74% of all declines in EMB autonomy correspond to autocracies.
• The quality of elections is also increasingly worsening in democracies, with the level of electoral violence and the free- and fairness of elections deteriorating the most.
• The intensity of attacks on the EMB autonomy separates democracies from autocracies the most clearly, suggesting that their autonomy is a bedrock of electoral integrity.
• Autocratizing countries have dramatic declines on the Clean Elections Index. Democratizing countries show noticeable increases. Attacks on elections are thus part and parcel of autocratization process, and improving electoral integrity is critical for rekindling democracy.
• Over 60 countries are holding national elections in 2024. Of these, 31 are worsening on their democracy levels, while only 3 are improving.
• Protecting electoral integrity is important. Elections are critical events that can either reinforce or counteract an autocratization trend.

Keywords: elections, electoral integrity, democracy, autocracy