With almost half of the world’s population residing in countries holding elections in 2024, it’s set to be the busiest election year ever recorded. The chart below uses 2024 global elections data from Visual Capitalist and Time, and country populations are taken from Worldometer. Over 50 countries go to the polls in 2024.
Of most global interest will be the US presidential and legislative elections to be held on 5 November, due to American influence on the global political stage. We will expect to hear lots more of the contest between presidents, Biden and Trump – neither one an overwhelming favourite of the electorate. But two governments affecting larger populations, India and the European Union, will also have elections in 2024.
A few notable elections have already occurred. Taiwan held general elections on 13 January, with the more anti-China Democratic Progressive Party retaining the presidency but losing its majority in the legislature.
Pakistan held elections on 8 February, with former PM Imran Khan’s party and affiliates winning a plurality of seats but losing power to a military-backed coalition. Pakistan’s election results were cast into doubt by foreign observers and media, with Khan arrested and in prison on corruption charges. It is far from the only country holding controversial and potentially undemocratic elections in 2024.
Russia’s 15 March elections were a foregone conclusion for Putin to consolidate his Stalinesque power. In many countries, the balloting will be neither free nor fair. And in many, curbs on opposition candidates, worn-out electorates and the potential for manipulation and disinformation have made the fate of democracy a major campaign issue.
India, the world’s most populous country, is due to hold a general election by mid-2024 that is likely to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Hindu nationalist BJP a third consecutive term.
Populism has gained ground in Europe as the continent experienced economic instability and mass migration from elsewhere. June elections for the parliament of the 27-nation European Union will be a sign of whether traditional parties can see off populist rivals, many of which are sceptical of military support for Ukraine.
Indeed, these are times of great uncertainty – even more than usual.
Source: Visual Capitalist
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