Democratic recession has been spreading across the world for nearly two decades. All the major democracy indexes have documented this decline, pointing to the steady erosion of democratic principles, weakening institutions, judicial interference, and election tampering, as well as increasingly autocratic behavior among leaders, even in countries previously considered to be stable democracies. Although this phenomenon has touched all corners of the globe, it has been particularly pronounced in Latin America, where we have witnessed government interference in the work of electoral bodies, the weakening of judicial oversight, and intimidation of political opponents, underscoring the importance of election observers' role in strengthening democracy.

While many factors contribute to democratic backsliding, the mounting attacks against election observers stand out. Election monitors, who serve as critical watchdogs ensuring electoral transparency, are now confronting heightened restrictions, threats, and legal challenges. The growing hostility toward election observers reflects broader attempts to undermine democratic accountability and silence dissenting voices.

This regression is evident not only in authoritarian regimes but also in democracies where political leaders are seeking to consolidate power. The weakening of democratic norms is often accompanied by a decline in political pluralism, as authoritarian-leaning ruling governments systematically marginalize opposition parties and manipulate electoral processes to secure favorable outcomes. The rise of populist leaders, who often challenge the legitimacy of democratic institutions, only exacerbates these tendencies, creating a hostile environment for electoral observation.

We often see increased restrictions on election monitoring during periods of democratic regression. Governments that perceive election observers as threats will implement policies to limit observers’ access to polling places, discredit their findings, and, in extreme cases, expel them from the country. The systematic targeting of election observers signals a broader effort to erode transparency and accountability in electoral processes. As a result, the role of international election-observation missions has become more crucial than ever in safeguarding democratic norms and ensuring that elections remain free and fair.

Read the full article about protections for election observers by Gerardo de Icaza at Journal of Democracy.