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PETRI

Perceived Election Treason-Risk Index

A Global Electoral Process Assessment Initiative

Aspects of PETRI

What is PETRI?

The Perceived Election Treason-Risk Index (PETRI) is an independent research and policy initiative assessing risks within national electoral processes that may usurp the people’s authority to elect their government. 

PETRI produces structured, evidence-based assessments of electoral systems across countries, identifying systemic vulnerabilities and supporting institutional and legal reform discussions. 

The initiative provides globally comparable annual assessments, enabling policymakers, researchers, and civil society to better understand risks affecting electoral processes.

Why PETRI Matters

Across many countries, electoral systems face challenges such as: 

  • Weak institutional safeguards 
  • Administrative and procedural vulnerabilities 
  • Insufficient transparency 
  • Declining public confidence in election processes 

Existing assessments often treat electoral offences as ordinary violations, failing to link systemic risks to necessary institutional reforms. PETRI addresses this gap through structured comparative analysis. 

Legal Foundation

PETRI assessments are grounded in the VoteGuard International Global Model Law (https://www.voteguardinternational.org/global-model-law-and-white-paper/), which defines electoral fraud constituting treason as acts that usurp the people’s authority to elect their government. 

The index applies a perceived risk framework, assessing systemic vulnerabilities without making legal determinations. 

How PETRI Works

PETRI applies a consistent methodology across countries: 

  • Data collection from publicly available secondary sources 
  • Standardised indicator and scoring framework 
  • Cross-verification and quality checks 
  • Comparative analysis across countries and regions 
  • Annual reporting and publication 

Only countries with constitutionally established multi-party electoral systems and recent executive elections are assessed.

PETRI Outputs

The initiative produces: 

  • Country assessment briefs 
  • Regional comparative reports 
  • Global comparative reports 
  • Public methodology notes 
  • Policy and governance briefings 

Pilot Implementation

The initial pilot phase covers countries across: 

  • South Asia 
  • Sub-Saharan Africa 
  • Latin America 

The pilot validates the methodology and establishes the foundation for global expansion.

Use of Findings (Impact Pathway)

PETRI findings support: 

  • Evidence-based electoral reform discussions 
  • Institutional capacity strengthening 
  • Policy dialogue and governance improvement 
  • Future comparative monitoring initiatives 

Participate or Collaborate

PETRI welcomes collaboration with: 

  • Researchers and academic institutions 
  • Governance and policy experts 
  • Civil society organisations 
  • Volunteer contributors and partners 

 

Next: PETRI Methodology

Contact & Partnerships

Organisations, researchers, and institutions interested in collaboration or partnership may contact VoteGuard International through our Contact page. 

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