Sub-Saharan Africa faces internet restrictions ahead of 2024 elections

Internet restrictions may be imposed during elections in 90 countries in 2024. Surfshark’s Research Hub states that 12 nations will likely impose such restrictions. This trend is concerning, as 75% of previous interventions disrupted network connectivity and hindered the flow of crucial information during elections. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia are particularly vulnerable to internet censorship during elections, with 29 reported cases in Sub-Saharan Africa and 28 in Southern Asia since 2015.

Mali, Malawi, Chad, Mauritania, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among others, are at a heightened risk of internet blackouts during upcoming elections, with India and Iran heading for parliamentary polls, raising concerns based on their history of election-related internet clampdowns—India experiencing four instances and Iran three since 2015, signaling a potential recurrence. Currently gearing up for parliamentary elections, Belarus faces challenges reminiscent of its recent presidential election, marked by widespread internet disruptions and targeted blocking of social media platforms, notably Twitter, underscoring potential threats to political engagement and societal discourse.

Globally, there is a concerning trend of internet restrictions during elections. In 2024, 90 countries will have elections, and on average, there is a 32-point decrease in digital freedom during these times. This is significantly lower than the global average of 58. It highlights the worrying link between digital censorship during elections and personal, civil, and economic freedom violations.