2026 ELECTIONS AND INTERNET SHUTDOWNS WATCH
Around the world, governments impose internet shutdowns during elections in order to undermine democratic participation and cling to power. This is an assault on democracy and human rights that cannot become normalized.
Over the past decade, the global #KeepItOn coalition — a network of over 366 civil society organizations — has mobilized people and communities to monitor, document, and resist internet shutdowns. In recent years, it has become very clear that governments are increasingly shutting down the internet and restricting access to digital platforms before, during, and after elections. In 2025, we documented 12 election-related shutdowns, on a par with 2024.
The #KeepItOn coalition’s Election Watch campaign raises awareness of the dangers of election-related shutdowns by engaging with government officials, the private sector, election observers, foreign and diplomatic missions, journalists, activists and human rights defenders. The campaign defends democracy by advocating for an open, inclusive, and secure internet access for all, before, during, and after elections.
Our advocacy has elevated the issue onto global agendas. In 2025, following elections in Tanzania, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) denounced the five-day internet shutdown imposed by Tanzania’s government, while the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) both acknowledged the impact of the blackout on election monitoring efforts, with the AUEOM declaring Tanzania’s elections undemocratic.
Ahead of Uganda’s general elections in January 2026, three ACHPR Commissioners and UN experts warned of the risk of election-related shutdowns, following the #KeepItOn coalition’s call for the ACHPR to engage with Ugandan authorities. When the Ugandan authorities nevertheless proceeded to cut connectivity during the elections, the Commissioners condemned the shutdown and wider crackdown on human rights.
The #KeepItOn coalition also previously contributed to the ACHPR’s adoption of a resolution denouncing election-related shutdowns, and to the Freedom Online Coalition’s (FOC) statement on the topic. Our advocacy has also led the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ghana to publicly commit to keeping the internet on during elections. With resistance to election-related shutdowns growing, we urge others to join the fight to protect democratic participation.
WATCHLIST
More than 40 countries, representing a combined population of 1.6 billion people, are hosting elections in 2026. With people, especially Gen Z, increasingly facing repression and violence as they speak out for justice and good governance, the need to safeguard democratic participation and digital freedoms has never been more urgent.
The #KeepItOn coalition has identified at least 10 countries with a history of shutdowns, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Armenia, Russia, and South Sudan, which we will monitor in 2026.
Important note: Throughout the year, we may add additional countries to this list if the threat of a shutdown increases or if dates are announced for high-risk elections that have been postponed. Please reach out to us if you are seeing indicators of election-related shutdown risk in a country not listed below or if you would like to collaborate with us to combat election-related internet shutdowns.
Navigate the list below and click down for more details on each country:
Date
country
status
| Date | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | Uganda | Shutdown detected |
| March 15 | Republic of Congo | Shutdown detected |
| April 12 | Benin | No shutdown detected |
| June 1 | Ethiopia | No shutdown detected |
| June 7 | Armenia | No shutdown detected |
| August 13 | Zambia | No shutdown detected |
| September 23 | Morocco | No shutdown detected |
| September TBD | Russia | No shutdown detected |
| December 5 | The Gambia | No shutdown detected |
| December 22 | South Sudan | Shutdown detected |
| TBD | Somaliland | No shutdown detected |
You can also browse elections on the watch by region:
Elections on the watch list in Africa
UGANDA
January 15 — General elections
What happened:
Ugandan authorities shut down the internet for five days during elections.
Why we watched:
Since 2016, Ugandan authorities have consistently imposed partial or complete internet shutdowns during general elections. In January 2026, two days before the country’s general elections, the Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) ordered internet service providers and mobile network operators to shut down internet and digital communications access. The government also ordered Starlink, which is yet to obtain an operating licence in Uganda, to block its terminals and services, and threatened VPN users. Despite calls from civil society and international human rights experts, including ACHPR Commissioners and UN Special Rapporteurs, for the government of Uganda to #KeepItOn, authorities went ahead and imposed a complete, five-day-long, nationwide blackout throughout elections.
Republic of the Congo
March 15 — General elections
What happened:
Authorities in the Republic of Congo shut down the internet across the country as people cast their votes.
Why we watched
On March 21, 2021, just hours before polls were set to open, the Republic of Congo implemented a complete internet shutdown, impacting all broadband and mobile internet connections, as well as SMS messaging, which lasted until March 23. This was an unfortunate repeat of past transgressions; in 2015, authorities in Congo-Brazzaville cut off the internet ahead of protests against extending the term of President Sassou Nguesso, while in 2016, authorities shut down the internet during the presidential election, purportedly to stop the “illegal” publication of results.
BENIN
April 12 — Presidential elections
Why we are watching:
In 2021, authorities in Benin ensured unfettered internet access throughout the country’s general elections, following #KeepItOn coalition and partner advocacy. The government had previously imposed shutdowns during elections in 2019, when, within a day, they first blocked social media platforms during parliamentary elections, then blocked VPNs, then cut internet connectivity entirely. Although there have been no recorded shutdowns since, an attempted coup in December 2025, paired with steadily shrinking civic space, raise significant concerns. We therefore appeal to the government of Benin to keep upholding human rights and to #KeepItOn throughout the upcoming general election.
SOMALILAND
TBD — Local elections
Why we are watching:
Authorities in Somaliland have a history of imposing internet shutdowns to quell protests and silence dissent. In 2022, the government shut down the internet in response to protests against presidential elections being postponed, while in 2017 the Somaliland Electoral Commission ordered telecommunications companies to block social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and LinkedIn, during presidential elections, citing “fake news” and hate speech as justifications. As the self-declared state heads to the polls on May 31, we call on authorities to #KeepItOn.
ETHIOPIA
June 1 — General elections
Why we’re watching:
Since 2016, we have recorded at least 30 internet shutdowns in Ethiopia; the highest number for any African country. Most of these coincided with protests, communal violence, or armed conflict, but each one disrupted fundamental rights, endangered civilian lives, and enabled warring parties to conceal human rights abuses and atrocities.
While election-related shutdowns are rare, the resurgence of conflicts in Tigray and Amhara and the recent crackdown on civic space raise concerns about possible disruptions during June’s election. The government has intensified pressure on journalists and civil society groups through arbitrary arrests, intimidation, threats, and forced self-censorship, while prominent nongovernmental organizations were suspended in 2025.
ZAMBIA
August 13 — General elections
Why we’re watching:
Zambian authorities imposed internet shutdowns during general elections in both 2021 and 2016. In August 2021, despite calls to #KeepItOn, the government blocked access to major social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, throughout the presidential elections. Access was restored after civil society filed a lawsuit and the High Court ruled against the shutdowns. During this upcoming election, we urge the government to ensure open and secure access to the internet and digital platforms across the country.
THE GAMBIA
December 5 — General elections
Why we’re watching:
On the eve of The Gambia’s 2016 presidential elections, President Yahya Jammeh plunged the nation into digital darkness, just as journalists had speculated he would. Since then, there have been reports of frequent network disruptions due to undersea cable cuts. Last year saw widespread protests against corruption and scandal, while journalists and civil society remain under attack; raising concerns that authorities may restrict access to information when the country goes to the polls this year. We call on authorities to find a lasting solution to the undersea cable cuts to ensure people have access to free, open, and secure internet and digital communications tools throughout the elections, and to ensure journalists can operate freely.
SOUTH SUDAN
December 22 — General elections
Why we’re watching:
South Sudanese authorities have repeatedly restricted access to the internet and social media in response to protests. In January 2025, in response to widespread violent protests and reprisal attacks against Sudanese people and businesses in the capital, Juba, and other parts of the country, which followed the Sudanese army killing South Sudanese nationals in Sudan, the government ordered internet and mobile service providers to shut down social media for 90 days. Following strong condemnation from rights groups, the shutdown was lifted just four days later. In 2021, authorities also cut off internet access for three hours after activists demanded the resignation of President Salva Kiir. The Minister of Information, Communication, and Postal Services denied ordering the shutdown, attributing the outage to technical problems, but rights groups suspected it was a deliberate attempt to squash dissent.
After repeated postponements, the country is preparing for elections in December amid a tense political climate. The #KeepItOn coalition urges authorities to guarantee unfettered internet access to the internet before, during, and after the elections.
Elections on the watch list in Eastern Europe & Central Asia
ARMENIA
June 7 — Presidential elections
Why we are watching:
Authorities in Armenia have a history of disrupting connectivity in times of unrest, as part of wider efforts to control information flows and intimidate and censor the media. In 2023, Armenian authorities tried, but failed, to legitimize their ability to censor online content, block media outlets, and even restrict internet access during martial law. Previously, in September 2022, authorities blocked access to TikTok when fighting erupted along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. With elections coming up in June, the #KeepItOn coalition calls on the Armenian government to protect and uphold human rights.
RUSSIA
September TBD— Legislative elections
Why we are watching:
Since its full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin has expanded censorship and internet shutdowns as a tactic to control narratives and silence dissent. Beginning in 2024, platforms such as YouTube, Telegram, and WhatsApp have been disrupted or permanently blocked in several regions, and the advertising of VPNs used to circumvent restrictions has been banned. In 2022, authorities blocked access to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and designated Meta as a terrorist and extremist organization; part of a broader crackdown on online expression. Russian authorities have also intensified internet shutdowns during key national events, including the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II in 2025 and the funeral of opposition leader Alexey Navalny in 2024.
The #KeepItOn coalition will continue to monitor and report on any restrictions, and to demand accountability as the country prepares to hold legislative elections in September.
Elections on the watch list in THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
MOROCCO
September 23 — General elections
Why we are watching
Although Moroccan authorities have not imposed internet shutdowns since 2017, last year’s resurgence of mass protests calling for education and healthcare reforms, and for stronger anti-corruption measures, which were met with a violent crackdown, has renewed concerns about potential disruptions ahead of general elections scheduled for September. The #KeepItOn coalition will closely monitor for reports of any disruptions throughout the electoral period and respond accordingly.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT ELECTION-RELATED SHUTDOWNS
Fighting internet shutdowns requires collaboration, solidarity, awareness-raising, and documentation of evidence. As part of Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition’s 2025 Election Watch campaign, we hope to strengthen our advocacy against shutdowns to harness democratic values globally. We will empower people and communities through awareness-raising, capacity building, and training, as well as equipping them with tools and resources to fight back against shutdowns. We will continue engaging with governments, private companies, individuals, and stakeholders in countries with upcoming elections, until those authorities commit to upholding internet access as a prerequisite for free, fair, and transparent elections.
Given the internet and digital communications platforms’ role in advancing democracy, we urge all stakeholders — including civil society actors, journalists, human rights defenders, governments, companies, and individuals — to collaborate with the #KeepItOn coalition and join the global movement against shutdowns today.
Learn more about the #KeepItOn coalition and how you can support our fight against shutdowns.
CONNECT WITH US TO HELP FIGHT SHUTDOWNS IN YOUR COUNTRY
Stop election shutdowns in your country
If you would like to collaborate with us ahead of elections in your country this year, please reach out to #KeepItOn Campaign Manager Felicia Anthonio at [email protected]. Learn more in the #KeepItOn election toolkit, also available in the following languages:
[English] | [Russian] | [French] | [Spanish] | [Arabic] | [Swahili]
Learn about and prepare for election shutdowns
Are you an election observer, activist, journalist, blogger, or someone else interested in the impact of shutdowns on democratic processes? Want to know how to prepare for disruptions? Read and share our internet shutdowns and election handbook. Refer to the #KeepItOn FAQs for more information about the campaign.
Help us document the harm of election shutdowns
Storytelling can be an extremely powerful advocacy tool. If you’ve experienced an internet shutdown, consider sharing your experience as part of Access Now’s Shutdown Impact Stories project. Use this form (available in several languages), and your story could help inform policy change, challenge shutdown orders in court, and raise awareness about the threats and harms of shutdowns globally.
Advocate against election shutdowns
We rely on a global network to help detect and fight internet shutdowns. You can use the #KeepItOn hashtag to flag shutdown threats and support coalition actions in each of the countries above.
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