In the midst of pressing concerns like the Iran hostage crisis, domestic economic challenges, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and a tough reelection campaign in 1980, President Jimmy Carter prioritized the independence of Zimbabwe as a significant objective of his administration.

After Zimbabwe gained its independence, Carter welcomed then-leader Robert Mugabe to the White House, later referring to Zimbabwe’s leap into democracy as “our greatest single success.”

However, as years passed, Carter was denied entry to Zimbabwe when he attempted to visit for a humanitarian mission to observe alleged human rights abuses following a violent election in 2008.

His critical stance towards Mugabe’s leadership had led to visa refusal, but Carter remained persistent, seeking accounts of violence and electoral fraud from Zimbabweans in South Africa and reflecting a lifelong dedication to fostering democracy worldwide.

This dedication significantly bolstered Carter’s legacy as a champion of free and fair elections across Africa, according to Eldred Masunungure, a former political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.

Masunungure noted, “Carter didn’t change. Zimbabwe did. Mugabe deviated from the democratic principles that Carter valued.”

He emphasized the consistency and steadfastness of Carter’s values through these trials.

The shift of Zimbabwe towards autocracy represents a challenge that the Carter Center has continually aimed to combat by deploying election observers and establishing electoral standards in nations grappling with democratic processes.

Founded in 1982, shortly after Carter’s presidency ended, the Carter Center embodies his ongoing mission to support fair elections as a pathway to peace, having monitored around 125 elections across 40 countries and tribes, with a significant role in fostering democracy globally.

Carter’s reputation and integrity, bolstered by his experiences of both winning and losing elections, helped make the center’s initiatives successful, noted David Carroll, the head of the democracy program at the center.

Having passed away at the age of 100, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, recognizing the center’s commitment to supporting elections and advocating for human rights while aiding developing nations with their governance structures.

The center’s endeavors began in Panama, where concerns over the integrity of 1989 elections arose amid reports of armed militias seizing voting records.

The center’s mission expanded to include election monitoring, underscoring the belief that democratic elections are crucial for resolving political conflicts.

Carter himself described denouncing Panama’s election as fraudulent in a heartfelt moment, leading to a fair subsequent election that marked the birth of true democracy there.

In Nepal, the Carter Center played an influential role in rescuing a peace initiative, overseeing two postponed elections in 2008 and facilitating dialogue between former rebels and top politicians during critical negotiations.

Bhojraj Pokharel, Nepal’s chief election commissioner in 2008, highlighted the importance of Carter’s presence on election day in promoting a peaceful voting atmosphere, asserting that it sent a vital message about electoral integrity.

Operating predominantly in nations lacking democratic infrastructure and plagued by violence, the Carter Center has been invited to provide oversight in various contexts, notably in Bolivia following controversial elections in 2019.

Their evaluation was well received, providing a boost to Bolivia’s perception of its electoral integrity among international observers.

Unfortunately, similar successes have proved elusive in several African nations, which continue to grapple with the aftermath of colonialism and political instability.

Recent elections in countries like Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast were marred by violence, corruption, and a pervasive mistrust between the public and electoral institutions.

The situation in Tunisia, where public disillusionment has set in following the Arab Spring, shows a stark contrast to initial hopes for democratic progress, underlined by low voter turnout in recent parliamentary elections.

Having intervened personally in African peace processes, Carter often sought to persuade conflicting parties to favor electoral processes over violence.

More recently, the Carter Center has turned some focus to challenges within the United States, emphasizing the need for unbiased electoral oversight.

The center’s 2017 deployment to Oklahoma addressed issues faced by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes during elections that had previous credibility problems, leading to restored faith among voters during subsequent elections.

This commitment grew especially relevant following the 2020 U.S. election, where claims of fraud led to diminished trust, particularly among those supporting former President Trump.

Heading into the 2024 elections, the center conducted limited monitoring in several U.S. states and is advocating for the inclusion of nonpartisan observers in elections across the country.

Carter’s influence and guidance in democracy remain a guiding principle for the center, as maintaining democratic integrity requires ongoing vigilance.