The Ultimate Election Year: Not Just India, But 64 Countries Head to Polls

2024 is the ultimate election year. At least 49 per cent of the global population will go to the polls this year in 64 countries plus the European Union (EU). In many countries, the electoral results are set to have repercussions for years. For instance, the next president of Taiwan will move the island state’s relations with mainland China. Similarly, the US Presidential polls, slated to be held in November, will direct the country’s ties with Russia and China.

Here’s Where Elections Will Be Held

• India: In India, Lok Sabha polls were conducted between April 19 and June 1 in seven phases and saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA alliance come to power for the third time. Narendra Modi took the oath as the country’s Prime Minister on Sunday.
• European Parliament: Hosted elections on June 9 and saw right-wing leaders sweep the voters. The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) confirmed itself as the 720-seat chamber’s biggest bloc, gaining eight more seats compared to the 2019 elections for a total of 182.
• United States of America: Scheduled for November, the US will hold polls to elect not only the next President but also Regional Representatives and the House of Representatives. The upcoming polls will see a rematch between US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
• Pakistan: Pakistan witnessed parliamentary polls on February 8. As no party managed to secure a majority, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) reached a formal agreement to form a new government in Pakistan.
• Russia: Presidential elections, held between March 15 and 17, saw Vladimir Putin establish his rule in the country.
• Mexico: The Latin American country saw history being made with the appointment of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico’s first female president.
• Iran: The sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi paved the way for snap elections on June 28. Six people, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have been approved to run for the snap presidential election.
• United Kingdom: With a voter population of 76.9 million, the UK will host parliamentary elections on July 4. A recent poll conducted by The Independent showed the ruling Conservative party struggling behind the Labour Party, with polls suggesting a growing lead for the latter.
• South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) lost power for the first time in three decades. The party is now negotiating with potential governing partners ranging from Marxists to free-marketeers.
• France: Following defeat in the European Parliament elections, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday dissolved the country’s parliament and the National Assembly. Snap elections will now be held in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

Apart from the aforementioned countries, national elections are also scheduled to be held in South Korea, Algeria, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Ghana, Mozambique, Madagascar, Venezuela, North Korea, Taiwan, Syria, Mali, Sri Lanka, Romania, Chad, Senegal, Cambodia, Rwanda, Tunisia, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Jordan, South Sudan, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Belarus, Togo, Austria, El Salvador, Slovakia, Finland, Mauritania, Panama, Croatia, Georgia, Mongolia, Uruguay, Moldova, Lithuania, Botswana, Namibia, Guinea-Bissau, North Macedonia, Mauritius, Comoros, Bhutan, Solomon Islands, Maldives, Iceland, Kiribati, San Marino, Palau, and Tuvalu.