Comprehensive African election calendar
Updated January 2012
| 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 | PNA: 12 May 2012 CoN: 2013 |
2012 | ||
| 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 | Aug or Sep 2012 (postponed from late 2009) | Aug or Sep 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | |||
| benin | Last election | 1st Rnd: 13 Mar 2011 (postponed from 27 Feb 2011) | NA: 25 Apr 2011(postponed from 17 Apr 2011) | 20 Apr 2008 | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 2015 | 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 | 21 Nov 2010 | NA: 6 May 2007 | 1 Jun 2008 | |
| Next election | 2015 | NA: May 2012 | 2013 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| burundi | Last election | 28 Jun 2010 | NA 23 Jul 2010 SEN 28 Jul 2010 (indirect) |
24 May 2010 (postponed from 21 May 2010) | 28 Feb 2005 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2015 | NA 2015 SEN 2015 (indirect) |
2015 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA & SEN: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| cameroon | Last election | 11 Oct 2004 | NA 22 Jul 2007 | 9 Oct 2011 | |
| Next election | Oct 2018 | NA Jun 2012 | Jun 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| cape verde | Last election | 7 Aug 2011 | NA: 6 Feb 2011 | 18 May 2008 | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 2016 | May 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| central african republic | Last election | 1st Rnd 23 Jan 2011 2nd Rnd 20 Mar 2011 |
1st Rnd 23 Jan 2011 2nd Rnd 20 Mar 2011 |
local authorities appointed by president | 25 Dec 2004 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2016 | 2016 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| chad | Last election | 3 May 2006 | NA: 20 Feb 2011 postponed from (28 Nov 2010, 2009 and 2006) | no data | |
| Next election | 2016 | 2015 | 22 Jan 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 4 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| comoros | Last election | 1st round: 7 Nov 2010 2nd round: 26 Dec 2010 |
1st round: 6 Dec 2009 2nd round: 20 Dec 2009 |
IG: 1st round: 7 Nov 2010; 2nd round: 26 Dec 2010 IA: 1st round: 6 Dec 2009 2nd round: 20 Dec 2009 |
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 | 2015 | 2014 | IG: 2014 IA: 2012 |
||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | IG 4 yrs IA 4 yrs |
||
| côte d'ivoire | Last election | 1st rnd: 31 Oct 2010 2nd rnd: 28 Nov 2010 |
NA: 11 Dec 2011 (postponed several times) | 24-25 Mar 2001 | 23 Jul 2000 Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2015 | NA: 2016 | postponed indefinitely | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| democratic republic of congo | Last election | 28 Nov 2011 | NA: 28 Nov 2011 Senate: 19 Jan 2007 (indirect by PA) |
PA & Local: 29 Sep 2006 | 18 Dec 2005 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 28 Nov 2016 Senate: 13 Jun 2012 (indirect by PA) |
PA: 25 Feb 2012 Local: 31 Jan 1013 |
||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| djibouti | Last election | 8 Apr 2011 | NA: 8 Feb 2008 | RA & Communal: 2011 | |
| Next election | 2017 | NA: 2013 | RA & Communal: 2016 | ||
| Term of office | 6 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | RA & Communal: 5 yrs | ||
| egypt | Last election | Sep 2005 | PA: 28 Nov 2011 - 11 Jan 2012 SC: 1-8 Jun 2010 |
8 Apr 2008 | 19 Mar 2011: Referendum on Constitutional amendments |
| Next election | Early 2012? | PA: 2016 SC: 29 Jan 2012 |
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 | Constiutional referendum 13 Nov 2011; allows encumbent additional two terms, creates vice-presidency |
| 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: 23 May 2010 |
Local: 23 May 2010 RSCs: 15 May & 21 Aug 2005 |
|
| Next election | 2013 by HPR |
HPR: 2015 HoF: 2013 |
RSCs: 2015 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 Dec 2011 SEN 18 Jan 2009 |
No data | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA 2016 SEN 2015 |
|||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | NA 5 yrs SEN 6 yrs |
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| the gambia | Last election | 24 Nov 2011 | NA 25 Jan 2007 | 24 Jan 2008 | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 29 Mar 2012 | 29 Mar 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| ghana | Last election | 1st round: 7 Dec 2008 2nd round: 28 Dec 2008 |
NA 7 Dec 2008 | District Assemblies: 26 Oct 2010 | |
| Next election | 1st rnd: 7 Dec 2012 2st rnd: 28 Dec 2012 |
NA: 28 Dec 2012 | District Assemblies: 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | ||
| guinea | Last election | 1st round 27 Jun, 2nd round 1 Nov 2010 (postponed from 19 Sep 2010) | 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 | 2017 | 2012 (postponed from 29 Dec 2011) | 2012 (postponed from 29 Dec 2011) | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| guinea-bissau | Last election | 1st round: 28 Jun 2009 2nd round: 26 Jul 2009 |
PNA 16 Nov 2008 | There are no local governments | |
| Next election | Presidential (ad hoc) 18 March 2012 | PNA 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 | 14 Aug 2012 | NA 14 Aug 2012 | 14 Aug 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| lesotho | Last Election | Monarchy: no presidential election | 17 Feb 2007 | 1 Oct 2011 (postponed from Apr 2010 and Sep 2011) | |
| Next election | 2012 | 2016 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| liberia | Last election | 1st round: 11 Oct 2011 2nd round: 8 Nov 2011 |
HR & SEN 11 Oct 2011 | 30 Nov 2008 | 23 Aug 2011: Constitutional amendments |
| Next election | 2017 | HR Oct 2017 SEN Senior 2014, Junior Oct 2017 |
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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 | Constituent Assembly: Before June 2012 The De facto chief of the state was Revolutionary Leader Col Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi, who ruled from 1969 until his death in late October 2011 following a revolutionary civil war that overthrew his one-party state. On 23 October 2011 Libya was declared liberated by the head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. A new interim government was to be formed within a month, elections for a Constituent Assembly to be held within eight months and presidential and parliamentary elections in the year after that. |
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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 | late 2012 (postponed from 26 Nov 2010) | NA: late 2012 (postponed from 30 Sep 2010) Senate: 2013? |
Local government: 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 | 2014 (postponed repeatedly from 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 | 1st rnd 29 Apr 2012 2nd rnd 13 May 2012 |
NA: 1st rnd 1 Jul 2012 2nd rnd 22 Jul 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 before 31 Mar 2012 (postponed from 16 Oct 2011) Senate (1/3 members): before 31 Mar 2012 (postponed from 24 Apr 2011) |
Local and regional: before 31 Mar 2012 (postponed from 24 Apr 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: 2012? RRA: 5 Feb 2012 |
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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 25 Nov 2011 AC 8 Sep 2006 |
12 Jun 2009 | 1 Jul 2011 Constitutional referendum |
| Next election | AR 2016 AC 2015 |
2015 | |||
| Term of office | AR 5 yrs AC 9 yrs (indirect) |
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: Dec 2010 (indirect) |
RC: 27 Nov 2004 Local: 27 Nov 2010 |
|
| Next election | 2014 | NA: 2014 NC: 2015 (indirect by RCs) |
RC: 2015 Local: 2015 |
||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs NC: 6 yrs |
RC: 6 yrs Local: 5 yrs |
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| niger | Last election | 1st rnd: 31 Jan 2011 2nd rnd: 12 Mar 2011 |
NA: 31 Jan 2011 | 31 Jan 2011 | 24 Oct 2010 new constitution |
| Next election | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| nigeria | Last election | 16 Apr 2011 (postponed from 9 Apr 2011) | NA & Senate: 9 Apr 2011 (postponed from 2 Apr 2011) | State Assemblies and governors: 26 Apr 2011 (postponed from 16 Apr 2011) Local 2012 |
|
| Next election | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | ||
| 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 | 9 Aug 2010 | CD: 2013 Senate: 2011 (indirect) |
Local: Feb/Mar 2011 | 26 May 2003 New constitution approved |
| Next election | 2017 | CD: 2013 Senate: 2016 |
Local: 2016 | ||
| Term of office | 7 yrs | CD: 5 yrs Senate: 8 yrs |
5 yrs | ||
| são tomé and príncipe | Last election | 17 Jul 2011 & 7 Aug 2011 | NA: 1 Aug 2010 | 18 Jul 2011 | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 2014 | 2016 | ||
| 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 | 26 Feb 2012 | NA: 26 Feb 2012 | Regional & Local: 2014 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA & Senate: 5 yrs | Regional & Local: 5 yrs | ||
| seychelles | Last election | 19-21 May 2011 | NA 10–12 May 2007 | Local authorities are appointed by the government | 15 - 18 June 1993 New Constitution approved |
| Next election | 2016 | NA 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| sierra leone | Last election | 1st round: 11 Aug 2007 2nd round: 8 Sept 2007 |
HR: 11 Aug 2007 | 5 Jul 2008 | |
| Next election | 17 Nov 2012 | HR: 17 Nov 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) | HR: Sep 2010 | 15 Dec 2002 | |
| Next election | 2015 | HR: 2015 | no data | ||
| 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: 18 May 2011 |
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: 2016 |
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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) | 9 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 | 4 Mar 2010 (postponed from 28 Feb 2010) | 14 Oct 2007 | ||
| Next election | 2015 | 2012 | |||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | |||
| united republic of tanzania | Last Election | 31 Oct 2010 | 31 Oct 2010 | ZHR, ZP & Local: 31 Oct 2010 | 31 Jul 2010: Zanzibar constitutional amendment referendum to permit the formation of coalition governments |
| Next election | 2015 | 2015 | ZHR, ZP & Local: 2015 | ||
| 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 Constitutional Assembly: 23 Oct 2011 (postponed from 24 Jul 2011) |
8 May 2005 | |
| Next election | 2014 | Chamber of Deputies: 2014 Chamber of Councillors: postponed indefinately from 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 | 18 Feb 2011 | NA: 18 Feb 2011 | 18 Feb 2011 | |
| Next election | 2016 | NA: 18 Feb 2016 | 18 Feb 2016 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| zambia | Last Election | 20 Sep 2011 | NA: 20 Sep 2011 | 20 Sep 2011 | 17 Jun 1969 Constitutional amendment to give Parliament more power approved |
| Next election | 20 Sep 2011 | NA: 20 Sep 2011 | 20 Sep 2011 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | NA: 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
| zanzibar (autonomous region) |
Last Election | Oct 2010 | ZHR: Oct 2010 | Oct 2010 | |
| Next election | Oct 2015 | ZHR: Oct 2015 | Oct 2015 | ||
| 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 | New constitution, late 2011 12 - 13 Feb 2000, new constitution to increase presidential power rejected by voters |
| Next election | 2012 | HA, Sen 2012 | 2012 | ||
| Term of office | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | ||
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