11 | RISING REPRESSION MEETS GLOBAL RESISTANCE: INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2025 12 election-related shutdowns in 8 countries Following an alarming increase in election-related shutdowns in 2024 (12), there were once again 12 such shutdowns in eight countries in 2025, as some incumbent leaders sought to entrench themselves45 and legitimize power46 while concealing irregularities and silencing dissent.47 Six of these shutdowns were also protest-related as a dual trigger in four countries (Cameroon, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Venezuela), where authorities responded to protests challenging the conduct and results of elections by enacting “precautionary” shutdowns48 and perpetrating deadly crackdowns.49 Venezuela’s tally includes its extension of platform blocks cutting off access to X, Signal, and other platforms, blocking that began in August 2024.50 Belarus, Cameroon, Guinea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela Shutdowns during elections by country6 Venezuela Uganda 1 Cameroon Guinea 3 2 Tanzania 2 Myanmar Belarus Election-related internet shutdowns are a blatant attack on human rights and democracy. To learn more about election-related shutdowns and how to prepare for them, read our Internet shutdowns and elections handbook51 and follow our 2026 Elections and Internet Shutdowns Watch campaign, which lists the countries we are currently monitoring.52 45 See supra note 31. Africanews (2025). 47 Access Now on X (2025). https://x.com/accessnow/status/1883820669697204704/. 49 See supra note 32. Amnesty International (2025). 46 The Guardian (2025). 'Not for the people': Myanmar junta prepares for elections designed to legitimise grip on power. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/myanmar-junta-prepares-elections-legitimise-power/. 48 The News International (2025). Cellular, internet services suspended in Quetta. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268998-cellphone-internet-services-suspended-in-quetta/. 50 VE sin Filtro (2025). Se cumple un año del bloqueo de x en Venezuela, un país con poco acceso a la información. https://vesinfiltro.org/noticias/2025-08-08-x-signal/. 51 Access Now (2021). Internet shutdowns and elections handbook. https://www.accessnow.org/guide/internet-shutdowns-and-elections-handbook/. 52 Access Now (2026). 2026 Elections and Internet Shutdowns Watch. https://www.accessnow.org/campaign/2026-elections-and-internet-shutdowns-watch/. Pakistan