Africa Election Integrity Declines Ahead of 2027 Vote

Africa’s election integrity record has deteriorated to its lowest point in over ten years, raising serious questions regarding the autonomy of electoral bodies and the openness of democratic practices. The Africa Integrity Indicators’ Integrity Narratives 2026 report published Wednesday revealed that the continent’s average election performance score dropped to 26.8 in 2025, falling below the 29 registered in 2014, despite small gains in some intervening periods. These conclusions arrive as Kenya makes preparations for the upcoming General Election next year. Elections serve as the primary metric determining the trajectory of governance and accountability across the continent, with more than 20 African nations holding votes during the evaluated timeframe, according to the report. Conversely, transparency surrounding political party funding sources emerged as the weakest performing metric, revealing a profound lack of institutional capacity and oversight mechanisms to drive progress. Compiled by the African Institute for Development Policy, the evaluation analyzes the practical functioning of governance bodies across 55 African Union member states, covering the period from September 2023 to June 2025. The publication highlights worsening electoral performance in Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, while noting positive progress in South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and Senegal. The document pinpoints the shielding of electoral management bodies from political interference, the prompt release of election reports, and fair access to state-owned media for political contenders as three vital pillars of electoral integrity. The metric evaluating the independence of appointments to electoral management bodies averaged 25.5 out of 100 in 2025, whereas the measure for equitable state media access performed even lower at 24.5. On the other hand, the indicator tracking whether election agencies release timely and publicly available reports prior to and following votes registered a score of 30.5. The analysis cautions that vulnerabilities within electoral institutions can erode the broader democratic framework. The strength of election management bodies, particularly their autonomy and independence, remains paramount for conducting successful, fair, and transparent votes and ensuring peaceful power transitions, the document states. These insights emerge as the IEBC works to ready its electoral infrastructure, enroll voters, and resolve anxieties regarding the transparency of voting technology ahead of the 2027 elections. The commission has likewise encountered oversight regarding procurement procedures and financial shortfalls, difficulties that prompt concerns over whether vital preparations can finish on schedule. Although the Africa Integrity Indicators do not assert that Kenya’s vote will be compromised, they underscore institutional protections that will remain vital for public trust in the system. The study additionally focuses on political financing, which persists as the most deficient governance sector evaluated by the metrics, with the continental average score for political finance never surpassing 10 out of 100. The publication connects concealed party financing to dangers of hidden influence and patronage, bringing attention to the clarity of funds entering political groups and electoral campaigns. As political parties and candidates ready themselves for the 2027 race, examination of funding origins, disclosure mandates, and enforcement protocols is expected to gain greater significance. The text points out that deficient political finance supervision stems from shortcomings in institutional capability and enforcement rather than a simple lack of official regulations. The primary governance challenge across Africa is no longer a shortage of institutions, legislation, or continental pledges, but rather the divide between official institutional structures and their effective execution, the study indicates. The findings also address the significance of openness past Election Day, encompassing public access to data and the capacity of media workers, civil society, and the public to examine state institutions. The report advises shielding oversight bodies from political pressure, guaranteeing they possess sufficient resources, and ensuring information remains available to citizens. It additionally urges heightened openness in political party financing alongside stronger institutional capabilities to enforce accountability standards.