Elections and Peacebuilding

Elections and Peacebuilding: Why the timing and sequencing of transitional elections matter

Many countries, such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, South Sudan and Syria, are grappling with questions related to peace, security and integrity in their current political transitions. At the same time other countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Liberia, Myanmar, Tunisia and Nepal, have valuable experiences to share based on their past transitions. Drawing on examples from these countries, this policy paper discusses the dynamics and complexities around the question of the timing and sequencing of transitional elections with a focus on the first electoral cycle.