Occasional Paper

Impact of HIV/AIDS on Electoral Processes in Southern Africa

“This paper discusses the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the electoral process. It is argued that there is not an aspect of life that seems untouched by this pandemic. A recent case study by Idasa in Zambia
revealed that the country’s number of
by-elections have substantially increased
in the era of HIV/AIDS (1984-2003)
compared to the ‘Aids free era” (1964-
1984).”