For decades, elections in many parts of the Middle East were a forgone conclusion. They came and went with little fanfare as many knew that results were predetermined in the offices and corners of state security buildings in Cairo, Damascus, Tehran, and Tunisia. No wonder that most citizens did not care to participate or take part in such theatrical displays. The Arab uprisings that toppled entrenched autocrats have changed this. Voters flocked to the polls to cast their votes and choose their rulers. This book explores the dynamics of elections in the Middle East and their impact on democratization processes. It combines overview chapters with individual studies of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey.

Top scholars of the Middle East set out the history and future of elections in eight Middle East countries. Examining issues associated with elections, the transition of governance, and the ways in which technology shapes popular participation in politics and elections, they discuss the future of governance and democratic transition in the region.