Comprehensive African election calendar
Updated August 2010
| country | timeline | presidential | parliamentary/ legislative | local govt | recent referenda |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| algeria | Last election | 9 Apr 2009 | PNA & CoN: 17 May 2007 | 29 Nov 2007 | 17 Sep 1999 Voters endorse presidential peace plan to end 7 yrs of civil violence |
| Next election | 2014 | 2012 | PNA: 2012 CoN: 2013 |
||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | PNA: 5 yrs CoN: 6 |
5 yrs | ||
| angola | Last election | 29-30 Sep 1992 | 5 Sep 2008 | No local government elections have been held, nor are any planned as yet | |
| Next election | 2012 (postponed from late 2009) | 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | |||
| benin | Last election | 1st round: 5 Mar 2006 2nd round: 19 Mar 2006 |
NA: 31 Mar 2007 | 20 Apr 2008 | |
| Next election | Mar 2011 | NA: Mar 2011 | 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 4 yrs | 6 yrs | ||
| botswana | Last election | Late 2009 by NA |
NA: 16 Oct 2009 | 16 Oct 2009 | 4 Oct 1997 Constitutional amendments to establish an Independent Electoral Commission approved |
| Next election | 2014 by NA |
NA: 2014 | 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| burkina faso | Last election | 13 Nov 2005 | NA: 6 May 2007 | 23 April 2006 | |
| Next election | 21 Nov 2010 | NA: 2012 | Apr 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| burundi | Last election | 28 Jun 2010 | NA 4 Jul 2005 SEN 29 Jul 2005 (indirect) |
3 Jun 2005 | 28 Feb 2005 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2015 | NA 23 Jul 2010 SEN 28 Jul 2010 (indirect) |
24 May 2010 (postponed from 21 May 2010) | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA & SEN: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| cameroon | Last election | 11 Oct 2004 | 22 Jul 2007 | 22 Jul 2007 | |
| Next election | Oct 2011 | 2012 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| cape verde | Last election | 12 Feb 2006 | NA: 22 Jan 2006 | 18 May 2008 | |
| Next election | Feb 2011 | NA: Jan 2011 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| central african republic | Last election | 1st Rnd 13 Mar 2005 2nd Rnd 8 May 2005 |
1st Rnd 13 Mar 2005 2nd Rnd 8 May 2005 |
local authorities appointed by president | 25 Dec 2004 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 1st Rnd 23 Jan 2011 2nd Rnd 20 Mar 2011 |
1st Rnd 23 Jan 2011 2nd Rnd 20 Mar 2011 |
|||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| chad | Last election | 3 May 2006 | NA: 21 Apr 2002 | ||
| Next election | 23 Apr 2011 | NA: 28 Nov 2010 (postponed from 2009 and 2006) | 12 Dec 2010 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 4 yrs | |||
| comoros | Last election | 1st round: 16 Apr 2006 2nd round: 14 May 2006 |
1st round: 6 Dec 2009 2nd round: 20 Dec 2009 |
IP: 10 Jun 2007 (Anjouan 15 & 29 Jun 2008) IA: 2008 |
17 May 2009 constitutional amendments approved: Increased term of president to 5 yrs, abolished rotating presidency, concentrated power in Union government, reduce powers and costs of the island's governments (Island Presidents become Island Governors), Islam became state religion |
| Next election | 7 Nov 2010 | 2014 | IG: Apr or May 2011 IA: 2012 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | IG 4 yrs IA 4 yrs |
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| côte d'ivoire | Last election | 22 Oct 2000 | NA: 10 Dec 2000 | 24-25 Mar 2001 | 23 Jul 2000 Constitution approved |
| Next election | 31 Oct 2010 (postponed from 29 Nov 2009) | NA: 2011? (postponed several times) | postponed indefinitely | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| democratic republic of congo | Last election | First round 30 Jun 2006 Second round 29 Sep 2006 |
NA: 30 Jun 2006 Senate: 19 Jan 2007 (indirect by PA) |
PA & Local: 29 Sep 2006 | 18 Dec 2005 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 27 Nov 2011 (2nd Rnd 25 Feb 2012) | NA: 27 Nov 2011 Senate: 13 Jun 2012 (indirect by PA) |
PA: 25 Feb 2012 Local: 31 Jan 1013 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| djibouti | Last election | 8 Apr 2005 | NA: 8 Feb 2008 | RA & Communal: 10 & 31 Mar 2006 | |
| Next election | Apr 2011 | NA: 2013 | RA & Communal: Apr 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 6 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | RA & Communal: 5 yrs | ||
| egypt | Last election | Sep 2005 | PA: 7 Nov - 7 Dec 2005 SC: 1-8 Jun 2010 |
8 Apr 2008 | |
| Next election | Sep 2011 | PA: Nov 2010 SC: 2013 |
Apr 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 6 yrs | PA: 5 yrs SC: 6 yrs; half replaced every three year. |
4 yrs | ||
| equatorial guinea | Last election | 29 Nov 2009 | HPR: 4 May 2008 | 4 May 2008 | |
| Next election | 2016 | HPR: 2013 | 2013 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | HPR: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| eritrea | Last election | 1993 interim president |
May 1997 Transitional NA formed |
May 2003 | 23-25 Apr 1993 Independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea approved |
| Next election | indefinitely postponed from 2001 | ||||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| ethiopia | Last election | 9 Oct 2007 by HPR |
HoF: 13 & 19 Apr 2008 HPR: 15 May 2005 |
13 & 19 Apr 2008 Local government 15 May & 21 Aug 2005 RSCs |
|
| Next election | 2013 by HPR |
HPR: 23 May 2010 HoF: 2013 |
RSCs: 23 May 2010 Local government: 2013 |
||
| Term of office | 6 yrs | 5 yrs (both Houses) | RSCs & Local government: 5 yrs | ||
| gabon | Last election | 30 Aug 2009 | NA 17 December 2006 SEN 18 Jan 2009 |
No data | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA Dec 2011 SEN 2015 |
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| Term of office | 7 yrs | NA 5 yrs SEN 6 yrs |
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| the gambia | Last election | 24 September 2006 | 25 Jan 2007 | 24 Jan 2008 | |
| Next election | 2011 | 2012 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| ghana | Last election | 1st round: 7 Dec 2008 2nd round: 28 Dec 2008 |
7 Dec 2004 | 2006 | |
| Next election | Dec 2012 | Dec 2012 | District Assembly: 26 Oct 2010 | ||
| Term of office | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| guinea | Last election | 21 Dec 2003 | 30 Jun 2002 | Dec 2005 | 11 Nov 2001 Constitutional amendment to remove presidential term of office limits and increase term to 7 yrs approved |
| Next election | 1st round 27 Jun, 2nd round 19 Sep 2010 | 2011? | 2011? | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| guinea-bissau | Last election | 1st round: 28 Jun 2009 2nd round: 26 Jul 2009 |
16 Nov 2008 | There are no local governments | |
| Next election | 2014 | 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | |||
| kenya | Last election | 27 Dec 2007 | NA: 27 Dec 2007 | 27 Dec 2007 | 4 Aug 2010: Draft proposes more power for Prime Minister and less for President, devolution of power to regions and introduction of Senate and Supreme Court |
| Next election | 2012 | NA: 2012 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| lesotho | Last Election | Monarchy: no presidential election | 17 Feb 2007 | 30 Apr 2005 | |
| Next election | 2012 | postponed from Apr 2010, no date set | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| liberia | Last election | 11 Oct & 8 Nov 2005 | HR & SEN 11 Oct 2005 | 30 Nov 2008 | |
| Next election | Oct 2011 | HR Oct 2011 SEN Senior 2014, Junior 2011 |
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| Term of office | 6 yrs | HR 6 yrs SEN Senior 9 yrs, Junior 6 yrs |
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| libya | Last election | De facto chief of the state is Revolutionary Leader Col Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi, Leader of the Revolution, since 1969. One-party state. The legislature is the General People's Congress which is indirectly elected for 3 yrs. The voters elect representatives for the basic people's congresses, which elect representatives to municipal people's congresses, which in turn elect delegates to the General People's Congress. The executive, the General People's Committee is elected by the General People's Congress. The nominal head of state is the chairperson of the General People's Congress. |
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| next election | |||||
| term of office | |||||
| madagascar | Last election | 3 December 2006 | NA: 23 Sep 2007 Senate: 20 Apr 2008 (indirect) |
Local government: 16 Mar 2008 | On new Constitution scheduled for 12 Aug 2010, but then postponed to 17 Nov 2010 |
| Next election | 1 Jul 2011 (postponed from 26 Nov 2010) | NA: 13 Apr 2011 (postponed from 30 Sep 2010) Senate: Mar 2011 (indirect; moved forward from 2013) |
Local government: Feb 2011 (moved forward from 2013) | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA 5 yrs Senate: 5 yrs |
5 yrs | ||
| malawi | Last election | 19 May 2009 | 19 May 2009 | 21 Nov 2000 | 14 Jun 1993 Introduction of a multi-party system approved by voters |
| Next election | 2014 | 2014 | 23 Nov 2010 (postponed since 2000) | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| mali | Last election | 29 April 2007 | NA: 1st round 1 Jul 2007; 2nd round 22 Jul 2007 | 20 Apr 2009 | |
| Next election | 2012 | NA: 2012 | 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| mauritania | Last election | 18 Jul 2009 | NA 19 Nov 2006 (1st round), 3 Dec 2006 (2nd round) Senate: 9 Aug 2009 (indirect) |
Local and regional: 19 Nov 2006 | 25 Jun 2006 New constitution approved by electorate |
| Next election | 2015 | NA 2011 Senate: 2011 (indirect) |
Local and regional: 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 6 yrs | NA 5 yrs SEN 6 yrs (1/3 retires every 2 yrs) |
5 yrs | ||
| mauritius | Last election | 13 May 2008 by NA | NA: 5 May 2010 | Local: 2 Oct 2005 RRA: 10 Dec 2006 |
|
| Next election | 2013 by NA | NA: 2015 | Local: Oct 2010 RRA: 2011 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | Local: 5 yrs RRA: 5 yrs |
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| morocco | Last election | Monarchy. PM appointed by monarch after legislative elections | AR 7 Sep 2007 AC 8 Sep 2006 |
12 Jun 2009 | |
| Next election | AR 2012 AC 2015 |
2015 | |||
| Term of office | AR 5 yrs AC 9 yrs |
6 yrs | |||
| mozambique | Last election | 28 Oct 2009 | 28 Oct 2009 | Local: 19 Nov 2008 Provincial: 28 Oct 2009 |
|
| Next election | 2014 | 2014 | Local: 2013 Provincial: 2014 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| namibia | Last election | 27 & 28 Nov 2009 | NA: 27 & 28 Nov 2009 NC: 2004 (indirect) |
RC: 15 - 16 Nov 2004 Local: 14 May 2004 |
|
| Next election | 2014 | NA: 2014 NC: Late 2010 (indirect by RCs) |
RC: Nov 2010 Local: Before 1 Dec 2010 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs NC: 6 yrs |
RC: 6 yrs Local: 5 yrs |
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| niger | Last election | 16 Nov & 4 Dec 2004 | NA: 20 Oct 2009 | 27 Dec 2009 | 24 Oct 2010 new constitution |
| Next election | 26 Dec 2010 | NA: 2014 | 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| nigeria | Last election | 21 Apr 2007 | NA: 21 Apr 2007 | State Assemblies and governors 14 Apr 2007 Local Jan-Mar 2008 |
|
| Next election | 2011 | NA 2011 | State Assemblies and governors 2011 Local 2012 |
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| Term of office | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| republic of the congo | Last election | 12 Jul 2009 | SEN Jul 2008 (indirect) NA 1st round: 24 Jun 2007 & 22 Jul 2007; 2nd round: 5 Aug 2007 |
29 Jun 2008 | 20 Jan 2002 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2016 | NA 2012 SEN 2014 |
2014 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | NA 5 yrs SEN 6 yrs |
6 yrs | ||
| rwanda | Last election | 25 Aug 2003 | CD: 15-18 Sep 2008 Senate: 2003 (indirect) |
20 Feb 2006 | 26 May 2003 New constitution approved |
| Next election | 9 Aug 2010 | CD: 2013 Senate: 2011 (indirect) |
Local government 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | CD: 5 yrs Senate: 8 yrs |
5 yrs | ||
| são tomé and príncipe | Last election | 30 Jul 2006 | NA: 26 Mar 2006 | 27 Aug 2006 | |
| Next election | Jul 2011 | NA: 1 Aug 2010 | 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 4 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| senegal | Last election | 25 Feb 2007 | NA: 3 Jun 2007 Senate: 19 Aug 2007(indirect) |
Regional & Local: 23 Mar 2009 (postponed from 18 May 2008) | 7 Jan 2001 Constitutional amendments to abolish Senate and reduce presidential term to 5 yrs for future presidents approved |
| Next election | 2012 | NA: 2012 | Regional & Local: 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA & Senate: 5 yrs | Regional & Local: 5 yrs | ||
| seychelles | Last election | 29-31 July 2006 | 10–12 May 2007 | Local authorities are appointed by the government | 15 - 18 June 1993 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | Jul 2011 | May 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| sierra leone | Last election | 1st round: 11 Aug 2007 2nd round: 8 Sept 2007 |
11 Aug 2007 | 5 Jul 2008 | |
| Next election | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| somalia | Last election | 14 - 17 Jun 2004 & 10 Oct 2004 by Transitional Federal Government |
Clan-based political structure, not multi-party democracy. Transitional govt has mandate to establish a Constitution but this has not occurred as yet. Somaliland (below) is a small breakaway republic in the northwest. | ||
| Next election | |||||
| Term of office | |||||
| somaliland (autonomous region) |
Last election | 26 Jun 2010 (postponed repeatedly from 31 Aug 2008) | House of Representatives: 29 Sep 2005 | 15 Dec 2002 | |
| Next election | 2015 | House of Representatives: Sep 2010 | Late 2010? (Postponed from 2009 and 2008) | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| south africa | Last Election | 6 May 2009 by NA | NA: 22 April 2009 | PL: 22 April 2009 Local: 1 Mar 2006 |
17 Mar 1992 Whites approve the continuation of the white government's negotiations for a new majority government constitution |
| Next election | 2014 (by NA) | NA: 2014 | PL: 2014 Local: 2011 |
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| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | PL & Local: 5 yrs | ||
| southern sudan (autonomous region) |
Last election | 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | SSA: 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | Jan 2011: Referendum due on whether southern autonomous region is remain part of Sudan or to succeed |
| Next election | 2015 | SSA: 2015 | State and local: 2015 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | SSA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| sudan | Last election | 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | CS & NA: 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | State Legislatures, State Governors, local government: 11-19 Apr 2010 (postponed from Jul 2009) | |
| Next election | 2015 | CS & NA: 2015 | State Legislatures, State Governors, local government: 2015 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA 5 yrs CS 6 yrs |
5 yrs | ||
| swaziland | Last election | Monarchy: no presidential election. | House of Assembly: 19 Sep 2008 | 19 Sep 2008 | |
| Next election | House of Assembly: 2013 | 2013 | |||
| Term of Office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| togo | Last election | 24 April 2005 | 14 Oct 2007 | ||
| Next election | 4 Mar 2010 (postponed from 28 Feb 2010) | 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| united republic of tanzania | Last Election | 14 Dec 2005 | 14 Dec 2005 | ZHR & ZP: 30 Oct 2005 Local: 14 Dec 2005 |
31 Jul 2010: Zanzibar constitutional amendment referendum to permit the formation of coalition governments |
| Next election | 31 Oct 2010 | 31 Oct 2010 | ZHR, ZP & Local: 31 Oct 2010 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ZHR & Local: 5 yrs | ||
| tunisia | Last election | 25 Oct 2009 | Chamber of Deputies: 25 Oct 2009 Chamber of Councillors: 2005 |
8 May 2005 | |
| Next election | 2014 | Chamber of Deputies: 2014 Chamber of Councillors: Jul 2011 |
9 May 2010 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | Chamber of Deputies: 5 yrs Chamber of Councillors: 6 yrs |
5 yrs | ||
| uganda | Last election | 23 Feb 2006 | NA: 23 Feb 2006 | 28 Feb - 9 Mar 2006 & 21/25 May 2009 | |
| Next election | 12 Feb - 12 Mar 2011 | NA: 12 Feb - 12 Mar 2011 | 12 Feb - 12 Mar 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| zambia | Last Election | 30 October 2008 (due to death of President Mwanamasa on the 19 Aug 2008) | 28 Sep 2006 | 28 Sep 2006 | 17 Jun 1969 Constitutional amendment to give Parliament more power approved |
| Next election | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| zanzibar (autonomous region) |
Last Election | 30 Oct 2005 | ZHR: 30 Oct 2005 | 14 Dec 2005 | |
| Next election | Oct 2010 | ZHR: Oct 2010 | Oct 2010 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| zimbabwe | Last election | 29 March 2008 1st round 27 Jun 2008 2nd round |
HA, Sen 29 Mar 2008 | Local government 29 Mar 2008 | 12 - 13 Feb 2000 New constitution to increase presidential power rejected by voters |
| Next election | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
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