Cost of Politics Reports

Thailand’s May 2023 general election demonstrated that many newcomers, even those with little to no previous electoral experience, were capable of defeating incumbents, defying election polls and academic predictions. In many constituencies the elections indicated a shift away from traditional, old-money politics, and an embracing of newcomers with dedication, a positive development for the future of Thai politics. Despite this, money continues to be a prominent feature of parliamentary politics in the country. Securing an election victory is a formidable task; repeating this success in subsequent elections is even more challenging. The demands of a political career encompass time, commitment, connections, and financial resources. Vote buying remains a significant factor in some areas, playing a crucial role in the success of both new candidates and incumbents, despite provisions outlawing it. This study aims to better understand the costs of politics that aspiring and successful political candidates must endure in the Thai context.

Following Sierra Leone's change to a district block proportional representation electoral system ahead of the 2023 elections, this study reflects on how this system altered cost of politics dynamics in the country, with a particular focus on women and youth.

Kuwait has historically stood out from its oil-wealthy neighbours in housing a politically powerful and obstreperous parliament. Elected at a minimum every four years by Kuwaiti citizens over the age of 21 , elections in recent years have happened more frequently , as the body can be, and had been, dissolved either by the amir or by the Constitutional Court before it has finished its term. The increasing number of elections has been accompanied by an increase in the costs of contesting with one study estimating that they have risen 20-50% in recent years providing a deterrent for Kuwaitis considering running in parliamentary elections.

Liberia has held four peaceful and successful multi-party elections since the return to constitutional democracy in 2005. Those polls have facilitated seamless transitions and have been judged to be largely free and credible, despite numerous institutional and financial challenges. But while the constitutional and statutory laws on elections are progressive, the rules of the game in practice are skewed in favor of political elites and relatively wealthier individuals, mostly men, who dominate the political space. As a result, electoral politics, rather than being a competition between parties and individuals over policy ideas and records of competence for votes, is largely contested among politically connected elites and the wealthier citizens.

The relationship between money and politics has remained a persistent concern for advocates and activists of free and fair elections in Sri Lanka. Across urban and rural political landscapes, and throughout the various stages of electoral politics, money has become a common feature with individual contestants from all political parties required to make a hefty financial outlay to etch their name and number into the minds of voters.

The Zambia Cost of Politics Survey is an attempt to collect systematic data on issues pertaining to campaign finance in the Zambian 2021 parliamentary election. Observers of Zambian politics have long voiced concerns about the extent to which parliamentary elections are characterised by lavish spending and high levels of clientelism.

Getting into and staying in politics in El Salvador requires significant and elevated material costs for those who wish to do so. Therefore, not just any average or ordinary citizen can do so successfully.

Involucrarse y mantenerse en la política en El Salvador implica altos costos materiales y simbólicos. No
cualquier ciudadano medio o común puede hacerlo con éxito.