IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR AUTHORS

Thank you for your interest in the Journal of African Elections. Please read these Writing Guidelines before submitting a paper. Most of the rejections and delays in submissions to our journal are caused by authors not reading or applying our technical guidelines.

Copyright

Copyright for articles published in the JAE remains with authors. Authors whose work is accepted are understood to have granted the journal a perpetual, non‑exclusive licence to publish, archive, and distribute the submitted work.

Unless otherwise noted, all content in the JAE is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This licence permits any user to share and adapt the material for any purpose, including commercial, as long as appropriate credit is given to the original author and publisher and the terms of the licence are mentioned.

Data collection and use

When you submit your paper, we ask for personal data. All data are relevant to our publishing activity, and the details are stored securely and privately on our submission platform. They will not be shared. Please ensure you can provide ORCID numbers for all authors. If your paper is published, the email address of the primary or corresponding author will appear in the paper and be publicly visible.

Article types

The JAE publishes Research Papers, such as empirical studies, theoretical analyses, policy analyses, and comparative studies.

We also publish scholarly commentaries in the form of Debate Papers and Election Notes.

Book Reviews must be relevant to African elections.

Election Notes and book reviews are generally commissioned. Research Papers and Debate Papers can be freely submitted.

All articles must focus on topics related to African elections, such as democratic transitions, electoral systems, political institutions, governance structures, and the role of civil society. Articles must be original work that has not been published before and is not under consideration with any other publishing outlet.

RESEARCH PAPERS
Length: 6,500 words to 10,000 words (total word count)
Abstract: 180 to 200 words - do not exceed
Keywords: 5
References: No more than 60. Most sources should be academic. Be sure to include recent publications (e.g., post-2021).

Research papers must bring novel insights to the field. We typically do not accept papers consisting only of literature review, unless authors critically highlight underlying assumptions or gaps.

JAE accepts papers with a limited case focus, as long as in-depth insights are provided, such as a detailed analysis of the workings of a local election administration office, a voter education NGO, or a meeting bringing together local and international observers.

Richness is preferred over shallow broadness. The journal accepts qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods papers.

We strongly encourage authors to adhere to the FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability). To support reproducibility and long-term scholarly value, we recommend that authors make the data underlying their findings openly available whenever possible. Data should be deposited in a trusted, domain-appropriate open-access repository prior to or immediately following publication. Authors are asked to clearly describe where and how their data can be accessed in a dedicated data availability statement in the cover letter and published manuscript.

Technical requirements for research papers

1 Reference lists must follow APA 7 style.
2 Do not number your subheadings.
3 Submit a journal article, not a dissertation or thesis. See past issues of our journal for examples of the style, flow, and format of papers.
4 Third-party graphics must be attributed. Reference the precise document or webpage, rather than vaguely naming an entire website or organisation. Check whether permission is required to reproduce graphics you borrow. Do not assume open-access rights.
5 Sort out any discrepancies between the reference list and in-text citations. You are allowed to use AI tools to help with this task. We require a perfect match.
6 Language should be formal but easily readable. For example, generally use short words, sentences, and paragraphs rather than unnecessarily long ones. While subheadings are important signposts for the reader, too many of them will create visual clutter.

Conference papers may be submitted like any other research paper and are subject to the JAE’s normal screening and peer review processes. Conference papers may need substantial academic revision.

DEBATE PAPERS
Length: 1,500 to 4,500 words
Summary / abstract: up to 100 words
Keywords: 5
References: Up to approximately 25. You may cite media, news sources, and reputable websites as well as academic works.

Debates focus on interesting and important developments in the field of African elections and democracy. Current events and trends can be examined or topics for research proposed. Papers in this category may also respond to papers previously published in the JAE. Short analyses that do not meet the requirements for a full research paper can be submitted under Debates. Debate papers may include original data as well as personal opinion, as long as opinions are based on referenced facts or newspaper / media articles.

Debate articles are read by at least two JAE editorial board members. The process is similar to peer review, with authors receiving feedback and potential requests for revision. These largely in-house reviews are focused on the scholarly merits and contemporary value of the paper.

The aim of this category is to enable the speedy publication of topical pieces, given the changing landscape of political practices and studies in Africa. Nonetheless, we require a high academic standard.

ELECTION NOTES
As of 2026, the JAE also publishes Election Notes. Election Notes are commissioned pieces covering a recent election on the African continent. These are scholarly articles (not opinion pieces) of roughly 3,000 to 5,000 words and up to 40 references.

Notes should cover the background, electoral rules, main issues, and contenders. They should also present election results and analyse election trends and outcomes. In the introduction and conclusion, authors are encouraged to reflect on how the election highlights broader trends in African elections or informs theorising on elections and representation. Notes are solely editor-reviewed.

BOOK REVIEWS
We consider reviews of books in relevant fields whose subject matter falls within the scope of the JAE. Books should be written in a language and style that is accessible and interesting for readers across related disciplines. We commission most book reviews but consider unsolicited pieces too. Book reviews are usually no longer than 800 words. Include a title for your review and the following information:

Title of book, author(s) or editor(s), publisher, city of publication, year of publication, ISBN number, and number of pages.

Be sure the reader can tell when you are discussing the book’s content versus giving your own views or knowledge.

ERRATA
– We can publish one erratum per published paper, preferably within 6 months of its publication.
– No changes can be made directly to an already published paper. Our technology does not allow for this.
– We do not publish errata for minor details, particularly if these would not bring the journal or author into disrepute. Perspectives, events, and statistics are naturally subject to change.
– An erratum should present a small factual correction, not a new discussion or new information. Authors are welcome to submit another paper instead.

Referencing

AI can check reference lists against citations and assist with formatting reference lists into APA 7 style. Please do not insert indents (tabs) into the reference list.

The source of third-party graphics must appear in the reference list as well as under the respective graphics.

Ensure all hyperlinks in the reference list are valid and clickable.

Consult the APA website for the format of references. See https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/webpage-website-references.

Referencing problems, including the lack of permission or inadequate attribution of third-party graphics, are a major reason for delay in our processing of papers. We urge all authors to take this aspect seriously.

Artificial intelligence - JAE policy

The JAE requires all papers to be written by humans. Minor help from AI tools does not have to be acknowledged and should not exceed the following tasks:
– checking spelling and grammar
– checking citations and reference lists

Other use of software or AI tools, such as for data analysis or creating graphics, must be acknowledged. Give details in the methods section if appropriate, or in an acknowledgment at the end of the paper.

Authors must ensure that
– their own ideas are presented in all critical aspects, such as research questions, results, interpretations, and implications
– the content of the paper is valid and there is no AI fabrication
– how they evaluated the validity of AI contributions if necessary

Example for an acknowledgement at the end of a paper:

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME OF AI TOOL AND VERSION] to [REASON FOR USE, e.g., plan the sections, summarise data, visualise data etc.] on [DATE].

Non-compliance with our AI policy constitutes a misrepresentation of research. If the JAE discovers such concerns, we may notify the author’s institution, reject the submission, or publish a notice if the paper was already published.

Additional technical requirements for submission

Manuscripts and cover letters for revised papers must be anonymised.

Ethical permission statements should not refer to specific universities or departments.

Corresponding authors cannot be changed online after a submission is made. You can, however, ask us to list authors in a different order or change the contact details if the paper is accepted for publication.

Do not use footnotes for referencing.

Minimise the use of footnotes for anything; try to include all information in the main text for easier reading.

Do not submit papers that contain multiple bulleted or numbered lists. This is likely to result in a desk rejection.

Do not number the (sub)headings.

The sections of your paper should follow the standard structure, namely, an introduction (with literature review etc), a section on methodology, findings and discussion, and a conclusion. There needs to be an identifiable beginning, middle, and end to the paper.

Recommendations must include academic content, such as ideas for future research. Policy recommendations can be included but must not be the exclusive focus.

Do not use unnecessary subheadings, long and detailed or descriptive (sub)headings, or multiple double-barrelled headings. Here is an example of a double-barrelled heading: Coming of Age : The Early Years of Democracy. This style can be used occasionally, but most headings should be short and simple phrases. Easy readability is key.

Check that your headings follow a logical hierarchy and sequence.

Anonymisation
The JAE uses a double-anonymised peer review system. Do not include the names of authors within the actual paper.

Also do not add your name to the letter for reviewers.

Make sure no references to prior works are given in a way that could identify you, such as ‘In a previous paper (Smith 2023), we reported that…’. Here you can replace Smith with ‘Omitted’. Alternatively, you can say ‘Smith (2023) reported that…’

Your name can be added again later.

References to identifying institutions should be handled the same way.

If you want to cite an earlier work you wrote, without saying it was your work, write your name like any other. For example, if you are Monani, you could say ‘However, previous research has shown that this claim is questionable (Bertram, 2019; Friar, 2025; Monani, 2023).’ There is no need to draw attention to the fact that it was your study.

By contrast, if you need to link your past work to your current paper, use ‘we’ or ‘I’ and omit the name(s). Be sure to keep this point in mind for the copy-editing stage if your paper is accepted. You will have the opportunity to add your name(s) back in, and you must actively do so.

ORCID
We need ORCID numbers for all authors. If you are not yet a member of ORCID, please sign up. Make sure the link opens to your own page.

Abstract and keywords
Abstracts of should summarise all sections of the paper, including the methods. This is not the place to provide a lengthy introduction or overview.

List five keywords after the abstract. Ideally these are a mix of single words and phrases. Don’t duplicate words that appear in the title. Keywords extend the searchability of the paper in databases, and duplicating the title wastes that opportunity.

Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
All academic journals are encouraged to link their work to the SDGs set forth by the United Nations. See: https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/page/sdgs-17-goals-transform-world. Authors can explore relevant SDGs in their papers. However, please do not ‘SDG-wash’ your work.

Funding and conflicts
Funding and potential conflict of interests must be declared on the last page. This information must be provided at submission stage.

Graphics
We reproduce colours in our online issue, but our printed issue (if any) is in black and white. This means colours show up as shades of grey. A red tone may thus look identical to a green tone. For this reason, supply an additional black-and-white version of all graphics. Line or dot patterns can be used to distinguish between colours.

Graphics can be added as a separate file if necessary. Use an uncompressed .tif or .jpg format. All graphics must be of high resolution. The JAE must be allowed to alter graphics if necessary to create a clearer image.

Avoid adding screenshots or photographs to your paper. Not only may these have copyright issues, but we are not a media publication. Generally limit yourself to tables and graphs. We may publish an occasional clear photo if there are no copyright issues and it has academic relevance.

Figures include diagrams, maps, and graphs.
Tables have rows and columns.

Each figure and table must be numbered consecutively. They should all be introduced individually in the text. Maps should be labelled as per the conventions: e.g., Map of Provinces in South Africa.

Use title case in captions.

Permissions
Copyright and permissions are an essential aspect of reputable journals. Authors must attend to this aspect. Attribute any graphics or elements borrowed from another source. Generally, cite more than just a surname, year, and website. An interested reader should be able to locate the source themselves from your reference. An editor should also be able to see that you have been conscientious about copyright. Never simply copy and paste content without checking for information about the licensing terms. Often, authors are allowed to use a graphic but do not write the correct attribution under it. Paper will not be sent for peer review until they comply. If you are unsure, contact the relevant source or website to enquire about the terms.

Changes made to third-party graphics, including tables and charts, must be indicated. Examples are: ‘Based on…’, ‘Adapted from…’, and ‘Inspired by…’.

Failure to attribute other people’s work fully may mean your paper is delayed or rejected. Universities sometimes overlook such matters, but a reputable publisher cannot do so.

Ensure that all sources mentioned under graphics appear in the reference list.

Our journal follows UK spelling and punctuation, not US.

APA links

https://apastyle.apa.org/?utm_source=apa.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=/&utm_term=header

https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/professional-annotated.pdf

https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/webpage-website-references#1

Helpful: To cite journal articles, look for ‘Cite this’ or ‘Citation’ on the paper’s first page. Click and copy the citation, then paste it into your reference list.

Website links and DOIs
Ensure all hyperlinks and DOIs are clickable and valid. DOIs should be written in the following format: https://doi.org/number.
If a link is no longer valid, please find one that is, or delete it. If a reader cannot locate your source, the information is unverifiable.
DOIs are more stable than website pages.

REQUIRED FILES AT SUBMISSION

When submitting an article to the JAE, include the following:

Anonymised manuscript file The primary author is responsible for ensuring the manuscript is anonymised and adheres to our style and referencing guidelines.
A cover letter Provide the details of authors. The cover letter should also contain a conflict of interest statement and a funding statement if applicable, and/or a data availability statement if applicable.
Copyright permissions The primary author is responsible for ensuring that if any copyrighted material is used in the paper, written permission has been obtained. Please attach this permission as an extra file when you submit the paper.
Acknowledgements Acknowledgements must appear on the last page. Anyone who helped create your paper should be acknowledged, even if they were not directly authors.

EDITORIAL AND PEER REVIEW PROCESSES

Editorial screening
– The managing editor checks whether the submitted paper adheres to the requirements listed above. Most authors are asked to make corrections, or the paper may be desk-rejected.
– If a paper is technically acceptable, it is assigned to an associate editor.
– The editor decides whether to reject it or send it for peer review.

Peer review
– Peer review and revision is conducted until the paper is deemed publishable, or alternatively the editor(s) decide it is not publishable.
– Author will not know who the peer reviewers are, and the peer reviewers won’t know who the author is.
– Once a paper enters the revise and resubmit (R & R) process, it has a fair chance of eventually being accepted, but this is not guaranteed. Revision may be quite a slow process, requiring sometimes more than one round.
– We try to return a revised paper to the original reviewers. However, sometimes they are unavailable for a second round, in which case the JAE editor(s) and/or other reviewers may become involved.

Role of the associate editor
• The associate editor assesses the paper, considering its scope, originality, and merits.
• The paper is accepted for review or rejected out of hand.
• If the paper is reviewed, the associate editor will coordinate the reviews and correspond with the author regarding any recommendations for revision. The associate editor can see who the author is and vice versa.
• The associate editor may decide to invite a third reviewer, refer the paper to the chief editor, seek assistance from another editor, or provide their own expertise to steer the process.
• Once the associate editor is satisfied that the paper may be suitable for publishing, the chief editor confirms or refutes this decision. The chief editor may also have been consulted earlier.
• Our approach is to widen the circle if there are vastly different assessments. If two reviewers disagree about the publishability of a paper, we may get a third expert involved. This method counters possible bias.

Review process
– Reviewers complete the online review form in Scholastica. There are about 16 rating-scale questions, followed by two or three open-ended questions where they can write more detailed responses. There is a section intended for the author to read directly.
– The associate editor, before sending the reviews to the author, will check that the reviewers’ comments are congruent with our journal’s policies and requirements. The associate editor sends all feedback to the author along with their own comments if any.
– Reviewers give detailed feedback and an overall recommendation (minor revision, major revision, or reject).
– Associate and chief editor consider reviews before making final decisions.
– The editor must provide impartial input, without infringing on authors’ independent thinking. An editor may suggest references or theory to include, but they may not make such additions a mandatory precondition for publication.
– When it comes to empirical data, the editor can ask the author to substantiate a claim using authoritative sources or to provide the original data.
– In other words, you do not have to implement everything the reviewers suggest. However, you must be willing to explain how you have considered the points they raised. As the author, you cannot be forced to take a specific position or cite a specific source. The suggestions are only intended to help you improve the paper.
– You may colour-highlight revisions in your paper. This can help reviewers and editors to find parts that have been changed or added. Such highlighting is not mandatory.

Publishing decisions and communication
• Authors may object to or query editorial decisions at any stage, provided they reduce their complaints to writing so they can be circulated to relevant editorial members to consider. Write to the managing editor with complaints and queries at jae@eisa.org