Per Surfshark, since 2015, internet restrictions have been affecting parts of the global population. Approximately 30 countries have implemented such measures during polls, impacting 2.3 billion people worldwide.
This issue strikes at the heart of individual freedoms, but its implications become especially troubling when it interferes with the fundamental principle of conducting fair and free elections.
The lion’s share of these nations, about 20 out of the 30, are in Africa. The continent has become a hotspot for internet restrictions during elections, which is a disturbing pattern.
Over a third of African countries have employed internet restrictions in this context, and an overwhelming 18 of these nations exhibit autocratic tendencies, where such restrictions are often used to stifle dissent and control information flow.
Recent examples from August this year show Zimbabwe and Gabon joining the ranks of countries imposing internet restrictions during their elections. These instances are alarming reminders of the enduring challenges to democratic processes in certain regions.
The upcoming months in Africa are particularly noteworthy in terms of electoral events. Eswatini is set to hold elections on September 29, a nation that, while not previously implementing election-related internet restrictions, has demonstrated a willingness to disrupt internet access and social media in response to pro-democracy protests in 2021. Therefore, the possibility of internet restrictions during the upcoming election remains a genuine concern.
Beyond Eswatini, three other African countries—Mali, Liberia, and Mozambique are scheduled to conduct elections in October.
Mali, having resorted to internet restrictions during previous elections in 2018, is a high-risk candidate for repeating such measures.
Liberia’s history includes internet disruptions during protests in 2019, underscoring the potential for similar actions during their upcoming electoral process.
On the other hand, Mozambique has not registered any instances of internet restrictions to date, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise concerning landscape.
