Data source: Hyde and Marinov
The National Elections across Democracy and Autocracy (NELDA) dataset provides detailed information on all election events from 1945-2020. To be included, elections must be for a national executive figure, such as a president, or for a national legislative body, such as a parliament, legislature, constituent assembly, or other directly elected representative bodies. In order for an election to be included, voters must directly elect the person or persons appearing on the ballot to the national post in question. Voting must also be direct, or “by the people” in the sense that mass voting takes place. Microstates are now included but were not part of NELDA Versions 1-4.
When using this dataset, please cite as:
(Hyde & Marinov,
2012)
(Hyde & Marinov,
2021)
Browse variables and select them for download.
nelda_fme
This indicates when a newly independent country is having its first elections, when a country holds the first multiparty elections after a significant period of non-democratic rule, or when a country ...
nelda_mbbe
If there were reports by either domestic or outside actors of media bias in favor of the incumbent or ruling party, it is coded as a 'Yes'. In cases where the media is totally controlled by the govern ...
nelda_mtop
This variable indicates whether multiple political parties were technically legal. The legalization of multiple parties need not necessarily mean the existence of a functioning opposition party, as th ...
nelda_noe
The number of elections during the year (counting legislative, executive and constituent assembly elections).
nelda_noea
Number of constituent assembly elections during the year.
nelda_noee
Number of executive elections during the year.
nelda_noel
Number of legislative elections during the year.
nelda_oa
This variable indicates whether at least one opposition political party existed to contest the election. Some countries have multiple government parties but no opposition political party. An oppositio ...
nelda_rpae
If there are protests and riots after elections, a 'Yes' is coded. The riots and protests should at least somewhat be related to the handling or outcome of the election. Values: 0. No 1. Yes 3. ...
nelda_vcdbe
If there was any significant violence relating to the elections that resulted in civilian deaths, a 'Yes' is coded. These deaths should be at least plausibly related to the election, though sometimes ...