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Romania’s top court recently annulled its ongoing presidential election over alleged irregularities, following a trend of similar decisions in recent years.
Here are some notable instances from around the world:
1. Gabon: Military Coup
After Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared victorious in the August 30, 2023, presidential election, a military coup led by General Brice Oligui Nguema ousted him, accusing the election of being rigged.
The coup ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule, with a new presidential election set for 2025 following a promised transition back to civilian leadership.
2. Malawi: Violent Protests
In 2020, Malawi’s constitutional court annulled the re-election of President Peter Mutharika, citing irregularities.
Following months of protests led by opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera, Chakwera won a fresh election in June 2020.
3. Bolivia: Political Crisis
In October 2019, Bolivia’s election results, which initially showed Evo Morales winning a fourth term, were delayed amid widespread protests.
Morales later resigned, and his challenger, Carlos Mesa, disputed the results. Morales was later exiled, and the interim government annulled the election results.
4. Kenya: Controversial Vote
Kenya’s 2017 presidential election, where President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner over Raila Odinga, was annulled by the Supreme Court on September 1, 2017, citing irregularities.
A rerun was ordered, but Odinga boycotted the new election, leaving Kenyatta to claim victory.
5. Austria: Lengthy Election Process
In 2016, Alexander Van der Bellen won Austria’s presidential election in a contentious race.
A May 2016 runoff against Norbert Hofer was annulled due to irregularities, and a re-run was delayed due to issues with postal votes.
Van der Bellen was ultimately elected in December 2016 after a prolonged process.
6. Haiti: Electoral Crisis
Jovenel Moise’s 2015 election victory in Haiti was annulled by the court due to fraud allegations.
A re-election in 2016 was marred by low turnout and a power vacuum, though Moise was eventually re-elected in November 2016.
7. Maldives: Electoral Disputes
The Maldives’ 2013 presidential election was annulled by the Supreme Court due to discrepancies in the voter roll.
Mohamed Nasheed, initially declared the winner, went on to contest a re-run of the first round in November 2013 but was defeated by Abdulla Yameen in the second round.
8. Ukraine: Orange Revolution
In 2004, the presidential election in Ukraine, which saw Viktor Yanukovych declared the winner, was annulled after allegations of election rigging.
The decision led to the “Orange Revolution,” and Viktor Yushchenko, despite being poisoned during the campaign, won the subsequent re-run.
9. Serbia: Invalid Elections
Between 2002 and 2003, Serbia saw three presidential elections ruled invalid due to voter turnout falling below the required 50%.
A fourth election in 2004 saw Boris Tadic, a reformist candidate, defeating ultra-nationalist Tomislav Nikolic.
10. Nigeria’s 1993 Presidential Election
Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as one of the fairest in the country’s history, was annulled by then-military leader General Ibrahim Babangida on June 23, 1993, just days after Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was believed to have won.
The annulment sparked widespread protests and condemnation both domestically and internationally.
