The survey’s findings reveal a stark perception of the state of democracy across the globe. In 11 of the 19 countries surveyed, including major democracies like the U.S., U.K., and India, less than half of the participants viewed the most recent elections as free and fair. This indicates a profound skepticism about the electoral processes among a significant portion of the electorate in these nations.

Conversely, in 8 out of the 19 countries surveyed, there was a notable preference for “a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with parliament or elections” over the democratic process, underscoring a troubling inclination towards authoritarianism among some populations.

Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, underscored the urgency of addressing this issue.

He called for democracies to tackle the public’s skepticism head-on by enhancing governance and fighting the pervasive culture of disinformation that undermines confidence in legitimate elections.

In the study, Denmark emerged as an outlier, being the only country where voters largely believe that their courts consistently provide access to justice.

With estimates of over 2 billion people voting in 2024, this year will be one of the most important for holding elections in decades.

The need to #ProtectElections, and to ensure that genuine elections are honored and respected, has never been greater.➡️ https://t.co/r3cGYolYAY pic.twitter.com/DJuRWXUUi7

— International IDEA (@Int_IDEA) April 8, 2024

This comprehensive survey, which spanned from July 2023 to January 2024, included approximately 1,500 participants from each of the 19 countries involved. The diverse list includes nations across different continents and political spectrums, such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, The Gambia, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Korea, and Tanzania, offering a broad insight into the global state of democracy and the challenges it faces.