Intimidation of electors

Threats against voters
Electoral violence

Nature

Intimidation of electors refers to actions intended to influence or coerce voters through threats, harassment, or violence, undermining the free exercise of electoral rights. This problem can manifest as physical intimidation at polling stations, threats of economic or social repercussions, or dissemination of fear through misinformation. Such practices compromise the integrity of elections, discourage voter participation, and erode public trust in democratic processes. Intimidation of electors is widely recognized as a violation of both national laws and international human rights standards, necessitating robust legal protections and enforcement to ensure fair and free elections.

Background

The problem of intimidation of electors gained international prominence in the 19th century as suffrage expanded and reports of coercion surfaced during pivotal elections, notably in the USA and Europe. Global awareness intensified after documented abuses in post-colonial states and during Cold War proxy elections. International monitoring bodies, such as the OSCE and UN, have since highlighted the persistence of voter intimidation, recognizing it as a critical barrier to free and fair democratic processes worldwide.

Incidence

In order to intimidate Cambodian voters before the 1993 elections, the Phnom Penh government began forcing the submission of UN-issued voter registration cards (totalling 4.6 million) for inspection and possible confiscation. As there had been as many as 40 government assassinations of political opposition organizers, Cambodian voters were intimidated by the prospect of being caught with UN-issued cards.

Claim

Intimidation of electors is a grave threat to democracy, undermining the very foundation of free and fair elections. When voters are coerced, threatened, or manipulated, their voices are silenced and the legitimacy of the entire electoral process is compromised. This problem demands urgent attention and strict enforcement of laws, as no society can claim to be truly democratic while its citizens are afraid to exercise their most fundamental right: the right to vote.

Counter-claim

Concerns about the intimidation of electors are vastly overstated and do not warrant the attention they receive. In modern democracies, robust legal safeguards and vigilant oversight make such incidents exceedingly rare. Focusing on this issue distracts from more pressing electoral challenges, such as voter turnout and misinformation. Elevating intimidation as a major problem is unnecessary fearmongering that undermines public confidence in the integrity and security of our electoral process.