Festival of democracy: India, US among 50 nations to hold elections in 2024

Hyderabad: Not only India but 50 nations are gearing up for their parliamentary, presidential, local bodies, and general elections in 2024, making it the largest poll year in world history.

Some of the most powerful global players including the USA, the UK, and Russia, and some of the most populous nations including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, India, and the USA are holding the election. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia already have held the elections.

Interestingly, around half the world’s population (nearly 4 billion) reside in these seven most populous countries that are poll-bound this year.

Some nations are war-torn or disturbed such as Ukraine and Iran (which just held the elections) while some like Finland and Austria are at peace but are waiting for a change.

Let’s take a look at the various Asian, African, American, and European nations going to poll or already had their election this year.

Asia:

Azerbaijan (held), Bangladesh (held their general elections in January where incumbent Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League won a landslide victory as the opposition boycotted the elections and she took over as the prime minister for the fifth term), Indonesia (already held in February), Iran, Kuwait, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, North and South Korea, Taiwan (held in January), Pakistan (a controversial election was held in February without a clear majority. On March 3, Shehbaz Sharif from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Party – PMLN – became the prime minister for the second term). India is likely to conduct the general elections in April-May, where incumbent prime minister Narendra Modi stands a high chances of a third term. Economically-battered Sri Lanka is expected to conduct its presidential elections in September or October.

Africa:

From Africa, Mauritius, which has a huge Indian-origin population, will conduct general elections in November. South Africa in May, Namibia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Ghana, South Sudan, and Botswana are among others conducting their general elections. Apart from these, some African nations are holding their presidential elections such as Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Somaliland, and Tunisia.

The North and South Americas: Several countries in the continents of North and South America will be conducting their local or municipal bodies’ elections including Brazil, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. General elections will be held in Mexico in June, Panama in May, Uruguay in October, El Salvador concluded their polls in March, Venezuelan presidential elections in the latter half of 2024, the Dominican Republic in May, and of course the United States of America (USA) in November. It would be an interesting tussle between former Republican US President Donald Trump’s probability of securing a second term versus the incumbent Joe Biden from the Democratic Party winning the elections once again.

Oceania: Certain parts of Australia will have their territorial general elections and some parts will have their state elections. Also, Palau and Solomon Islands will have their general elections in November and April respectively.

Europe: Two warring nations Russia and Ukraine are going for their presidential elections after mid-March. It will be interesting to note if the Russian public still supports Vladimir Putin despite the war. In Ukraine, the incumbent leader Volodymyr Zelensky stands a chance of another term if the election happens despite the prevailing martial law. Apart from these two, several European countries including the European Union (EU), are poll-bound. The EU would have its European Parliament election between June 6 and 9. The other election-bound countries this year include Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, San Marino, Georgia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, and the United Kingdom general, Assembly, mayoral, and local elections. As per the opinion polls in the UK, the ruling Conservative Party of Rishi Sunak may lose to the opposition Labour Party.