The impact of COVID-19

This chapter reflects on whether the COVID-19 crisis has served as a catalyst for deeper commitment to constitutional consolidation and proof of the resilience of democratic institutions in Asia and Africa or as a means of furthering democratic decay and deconsolidation. It traces the central themes, questions, and issues raised by the case studies as regards the measures adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It connects this with an examination of whether the predicted dangers of the abuse of emergency powers took place and whether countries were successful in limiting the potential for abuse, as well as preventing or sanctioning it. It considers the degree to which constitutional limits on the use of emergency powers during a pandemic, as well as provisions for parliamentary oversight and judicial scrutiny, have provided an effective safeguard against the abuse or misuse of power during pandemic among the case studies. © Oxford University Press 2024. All rights reserved.