The 31st July 2013 Harmonised Elections were held 5 years and 5 months after the 2008 General Elections. As is common cause, the 2008 General Elections gave rise to a presidential run-off election which was held in June 2008. The results of the June presidential runoff election were disputed and the dispute in turn gave rise to a number of distinct but related developments on the political front, notably:-
- The signing of the Global Political Agreement in September 2008;