Travellers should be aware of heightened risks associated with visiting countries experiencing potentially volatile national elections, advises leading travel risk and crisis management firm Global Rescue, which has released a risk assessment for countries with national presidential and parliamentary Elections in 2025. But breathe easy, Canada doesn’t rate – though some other destinations clearly do.

“Elections, while a cornerstone of democracy, can sometimes lead to increased political unrest, demonstrations, and even violence,” says Kent Webber, senior manager of Intelligence Services at Global Rescue. “Understanding these risks and preparing accordingly is vital for anyone planning to travel during such periods.”

According to Global Rescue, the following four countries have significant risks of protest, violence, and unrest due to upcoming national elections. Each country is listed as “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution” by the US Department of State.

• Ecuador: Rising political tensions and allegations of corruption create an environment prone to demonstrations and instability. In January 2024, there was a series of attacks by organized criminal gangs, that resulted in the declaration of an internal armed conflict and the implementation of multiple states of emergency. While the situation has re-normalized, violence remains a concern. There was also a series of protests in late 2024 to oppose incumbent President Daniel Noboa’s policies, including the implementation of power cuts to conserve energy amid the ongoing drought. The first general election round was Feb. 9, and the follow-up is April 13.
• Tanzania: Human rights groups have raised concerns of repression, including arrests, abductions, and killings of opposition leaders and supporters. The next Presidential national election is scheduled for October.
• Ivory Coast: The 2020 presidential elections were accompanied by political and intercommunal violence resulting in the deaths of at least 50 people. A post-election conflict in 2010 resulted in the deaths of thousands. The next Presidential election is set for October.
• Kosovo: Protests are possible after the Central Election Commission declined to certify the Srpska Lista party, Kosovo’s main ethnic Serb party. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a violent war in 1998–1999. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and Serbs in northern Kosovo still see Belgrade as their capital and continue to demand autonomy. Previous elections have resulted in violence in northern Kosovo. The next Parliamentary election is not set.

Meanwhile, three countries with higher risk for election-related civil unrest are already listed as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” countries by the U.S. Department of State.

• Venezuela: Political instability and economic turmoil often culminate in unrest during electoral cycles. The next Parliamentary election is not set.
• Belarus: Known for intense political suppression, past elections have triggered mass protests and government crackdowns, resulting in widespread instability. The most recent Presidential election was held on Jan. 26.
• Iraq: There is a short and fraught history of democratic elections in Iraq. The next Parliamentary election is not set.

Countries with the least risks during elections include Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway – each of which have “strong democratic processes, stable governance and a peaceful political culture.”

According to Global Rescue, geopolitical instability has overtaken other concerns for many travellers, with issues such as political unrest, economic instability and conflict zones driving travellers to take precautions that were once seen as optional.

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