Election monitoring

Election observation can decrease fraud and increase responsiveness of legislators

Election observation is a popular strategy for promoting election fairness, but does it work? In Ghana, Professor George Ofosu randomized the intensity of local election observation conducted in electoral districts. Districts with high-intensity observation experienced less electoral fraud and violence than districts with low-intensity observation. Not only that, but  legislators in districts with high-intensity observation spent more than twice as much of their constituency development funds on public goods to benefit the district. This research demonstrates the tangible benefits of credible elections and illustrates how election observation can incentivize political responsiveness.

Citizen oversight can increase electoral integrity

Researchers in Colombia recently assessed whether or not information and communication technologies could help citizens “crowdsource” oversight of elections. They sent Facebook advertisements to over 4 million potential voters to encourage citizen reporting of electoral irregularities in the 2019 mayoral elections. Citizens in municipalities randomly assigned to see the ad campaign reported 37% more election irregularities than citizens in municipalities not exposed to the ad campaign. These municipalities also experienced fewer election irregularities, especially vote-buying. The researchers estimate that the intervention reduced by one percentage point the vote share of the candidates most prone to engage in electoral irregularities – for only US$0.70 per polling station. This research shows that citizens can be empowered to increase electoral integrity through a low-cost communication intervention.

Do you have a study we should share for a future Facty Friday? Send an email to drg.el@usaid.gov!”