Electoral manipulations are crucial problems in many countries, leading to concerns. According to multiple sources including CNN and Al Jazeera, the 2024 national elections in Pakistan, held under the Caretaker Government, are claimed by several political parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to be manipulated, affecting the electoral outcomes and leading to protests. Election officials later acknowledged manipulations in the elections. Additionally, elections are often manipulated by the party in power in many countries in Asia, Africa and other regions including, but not limited to, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Uganda and Bangladesh. Consequently, the governments formed through manipulated elections do not represent the will of the people in many countries.
Electoral manipulations lead to diverse negative outcomes — though they vary greatly depending on the level of interference and the effectiveness of the manipulation tactics — not only for the country and people but also for political parties. They undermine electoral processes, erode public trust in government institutions, erode trust in the winning party, create social division, perpetuate political corruption and nepotism and hinder the development of a fair and just society. Electoral manipulations also lead to increased political polarization, social unrest and instability within the country and violations of political and civil rights and damage international relations and credibility on the global stage. Among others, public scrutiny and criticism often damage the reputation and credibility of political parties, including the winning party.
There are diverse domestic and international causes of electoral manipulations, which take various forms including voter suppression, ballot stuffing and tampering with electronic voting machines or election results. The desire to maintain control and stay in power and the influence of powerful interest groups are definitely crucial domestic causes of electoral manipulations. The incumbents misuse their state power in all the countries including Cambodia and Nigeria where elections are manipulated with the intention to maintain control and stay in power, resulting in the favorable behaviors of the election commission and weak enforcement of electoral laws even if manipulation claims have some basis. Among others, interference from foreign governments seeking to influence the outcome sometimes leads to electoral manipulations.
But it is pertinent to note that free, fair and credible elections lead to diverse positive outcomes — in addition to the reflection of people’s will in elections — that are beneficial for political parties, along with people and the country. While unmanipulated elections lead to greater political stability, enhanced trust in the democratic process and improved representation of diverse voices, they result in increased legitimacy of the new government and credibility for the winning party, beneficial for its long-term politics. Additionally, free and fair elections lead to increased citizen participation in decision-making processes, promote accountability among elected officials and foster a greater sense of unity among diverse populations, crucial for the development of the country as a whole.
Given the positive outcomes of unmanipulated elections, it is desired that steps be taken to address the manipulations of elections in different countries, especially in democratic countries where state power is transferred through elections. Implementing strong and transparent electoral laws and regulations, ensuring independent oversight and monitoring of the electoral process and promoting awareness among the population to recognize and report any irregularities are crucial steps that may help secure unmanipulated elections in different countries. Among others, fostering international cooperation and support for political institutions can help strengthen electoral integrity and prevent domestic manipulations and international interference in elections many times.
But it remains doubtful whether it is possible to successfully address electoral manipulations without the positive role of the government. In many democratic countries, the government changes electoral laws to get favorable electoral outcomes and the election commission or the body that holds elections and other organizations that play roles in elections are influenced by the government, leading to manipulated electoral outcomes — despite the presence of international observers. The good intention of the government is consequently crucial for unmanipulated elections, though international steps also help address electoral manipulations many times.
