Indices that measure democracy often overlook the opinions of citizens, focusing solely on expert evaluations. To understand the potential for democratic backsliding, a study examined public opinion data from three West African countries that have upcoming elections: Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Togo.

The analysis drew on data from Afrobarometer, a research network that conducts surveys on democracy and governance. The findings revealed four prevalent themes in citizens' attitudes towards the democratic process. First, a large majority of citizens in all three countries preferred elections as the method for choosing leaders. Second, many citizens viewed previous elections as flawed. Third, citizens expected elections to be accompanied by violence.

Finally, citizens wanted candidates to prioritize improving the country. While these findings offer hope for democratic mechanisms, concerns about electoral violence and the need for institutional reforms remain. The outcomes of the upcoming elections will depend on factors such as voter turnout, decisions, and the presence or absence of violence.

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