2024: The Globe Holds Its Breath—A Record Number of Nations Gear Up for Elections
Mark your calendars, democracy enthusiasts, because 2024 isn't just another year. It's the political Olympics, the ballot box bonanza, the year where the world holds its breath and whispers, "Vote." Over 4 billion individuals, a tapestry of cultures and ideologies, will participate in a global democratic exercise of unprecedented scale. 76 countries, representing over half the world's population, stand poised to choose their destinies, one ballot at a time. Elections will be held in eight of the world’s ten most populous countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States) and the European Union.
Take a moment to imagine…
The chaos and noise of India's mammoth general election, where 900 million people are competing for a single parliamentary seat. Visualise the tense anticipation in Indonesia, where Joko Widodo's grip on power is facing its greatest challenge yet. Then, zoom out and observe the intricate details of the political landscape: Brazil's left and right in a dance of populism, Kenya's young people fighting against traditional values, and Chile rewriting its history one referendum at a time. Bangladesh and Taiwan were the first countries to vote. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for the fifth term in office. At the same time, Taiwan's ruling party secured a record third term as Lai Ching-Te won the polls.
Across the Atlantic, another drama unfolds, one with potentially seismic tremors for the world stage. The United States, the beacon of democracy and global influencer, prepares for its showdown in November 2024. On one side, the incumbent president, with the weight of their first term's decisions and the spectre of potential re-election. On the other, a challenger determined to rewrite the narrative, fueled by either ideological fervour or the yearning for a change of course.
While major democracies like The United States, India and Indonesia grapple with populism and shifting tides, Hungary's upcoming elections and EU presidency offer opportunities and challenges for Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party. Orban's EU presidency will add an international dimension to Hungary's political landscape, highlighting its controversial leadership style and policies. This presidency term could provide a platform for Orban to push his nationalist, anti-immigration agenda on a wider European stage. However, it also brings increased scrutiny and pressure to moderate some of Fidesz's most contentious stances, which have drawn criticism from other EU nations.
Coinciding with Hungary's presidency is Europe's groundbreaking move to set global AI standards through the AI Act, which aims to regulate artificial intelligence development and use across the EU.
In South Africa, 2024's ballot boxes answer humanity's most pressing questions. Will populism continue its global victory lap, or will the pendulum swing back towards moderation? Will autocratic tendencies be nipped in the bud or bloom into full-blown regressions? The answers lie in the ballot papers and the hearts and minds of billions of voters grappling with economic anxieties, cultural conflicts, and the ever-present shadow of misinformation.
So, how do we navigate this labyrinthine year? With scepticism, yes, but also with unyielding curiosity. With open minds and discerning hearts. With a healthy dose of fact-checking and a fierce commitment to the very pillars of democracy: inclusivity, accountability, and the fundamental right to have your voice heard. 2024 may be the biggest election year in history, but it's also a reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport. It's a global marathon we run together, one vote, one voice at a time.
2024: Global elections calendar
January
7 January: Bangladesh, Parliament
9 January: Bhutan, National Assembly (2nd round)
11 January: Sint Maarten, Parliament
13 January: Taiwan, President and Parliament
21 January: Liechtenstein, Referendums
26 January: Tuvalu, Parliament
February
4 February: El Salvador, President and Parliament
7 February: Azerbaijan, President]
8 February: Pakistan, National Assembly
14 February: Indonesia, President and Parliament
25 February:
March
1 March: Iran, Parliament and Assembly of Experts
8 March: Ireland, Constitutional Referendums
10 March: Portugal, Parliament
April
10 April: South Korea, Parliament
24 April: North Macedonia, President
May
5 May: Panama, President and Parliament
8 May: North Macedonia, Parliament
12 May: Lithuania, President and Constitutional Referendum
June
9 June:
22 June: Mauritania, President
28 June: Mongolia, Parliament
July
15 July: Rwanda, President and Chamber of Deputies
October
9 October: Mozambique, President and Parliament
27 October: Uruguay, President and Parliament
November
5 November: United States, President, Senate and House of Representatives
12 November: Palau, President and Parliament
13 November: Somaliland, President
Unconfirmed and beyond
Chad, President and Parliament
Croatia, President and Parliament
Moldova, President and Referendum
Romania, President and Parliament
United Kingdom, House of Commons (by 28 January 2025)
So, get your running shoes on, folks, and let's make this a story worth telling. It is a story where billions of voices weave a tapestry of hope, of change, of a future where democracy, though far from perfect, takes another courageous step towards its ultimate destination: a world where every vote counts, every voice resonates, and every dream has a chance to blossom. This is 2024, and the world is watching.
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