Changing term limits: an electoral perspective

Changing term limits: an electoral perspective

A policy brief of the Electoral Integrity Initiative

“Term limits” are those limits set by law, normally a country’s constitution, on the number of terms an elected public office holder may serve.

The restriction can apply to the number of terms that may be held consecutively, or it may be an absolute – that is, lifetime – restriction. Initiatives to change or sidestep presidential term limits are often presented as a response to popular demand, yet tend to be deeply polarizing.

Learn more in the Electoral Integrity Initiative policy brief, Changing term limits: an electoral perspective.

In 2013, in line with a recommendation of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, the Kofi Annan Foundation launched the Electoral Integrity Initiative (EII). The EII is an informal network of organisa-tions and individuals who share a common concern for the unaddressed political challenges that undermine elections, especially in countries that have recently emerged from, or are experiencing, prolonged political instability.

The project is managed by a small team within the Kofi Annan Foundation. A group of individuals from around the world and from organisations with expertise and experience in improving electoral integrity make up the steering group for the project. Membership of the group is by invitation and informal. A group of Senior Public Figures made up of former statesmen and women has agreed to lend their support to the Initiative, and to en-gage, where requested, with individual countries where the risks of fraught and possibly violent elections are high.

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Changing term limits: an electoral perspective

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