Voter Registration in the Middle East and North Africa: Select Case Studies

Since 2011, the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have experienced a tremendous amount of upheaval. Although progress has been uneven, and accompanied at times by significant pushback, citizens across the region have demanded more responsive and accountable governments. In response, several MENA countries have held genuinely competitive elections either for the first time or for the first time in many years, and others have amended electoral frameworks and related legislation to encourage broader participation at the polls. Though often overshadowed by the events of election day, the voter registration process is critical to ensuring electoral integrity and, as such, is receiving increasing attention. A voter registration process that sets clear criteria for voter eligibility, guarantees citizens an opportunity to review and correct voters lists, and provides safeguards against electoral fraud can build public confidence in elections.

Through a series of case studies and a comparative analysis, this report explores the voter registration systems in eight MENA countries or territories. Each case study reviews the basic elements of the voter registration process as outlined in a country’s laws and regulations, as well as how it is implemented in practice. The voter registration systems of each country are then assessed in relation to the principles the states themselves are obligated to meet by international law and, in some cases, by regional treaties. The final section of the report provides a comparative analysis of the different countries’ laws and procedures in a number of key thematic areas, and evaluates how well they are performing vis-à-vis each other in light of international law.