Recent presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin showcased how costly electoral systems can skew democratic participation. A prominent critic of Djibouti’s political environment noted that high nomination fees create steep barriers to meaningful political challenge.

<p>Presidential elections in Djibouti and Benin at the weekend highlighted how a costly electoral system is reshaping democracy</p><p>Alexis Mohamed would have loved to stand against his former boss. A longtime adviser to Djibouti’s president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, Mohamed resigned last September, citing democratic regression in the country.</p><p>But at the election at the weekend, Mohamed was not on the ballot. Now outside the country, he says he cannot return home to file nomination papers or ...