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The total population of the world is more than 8 billion. Among these, elections have been held or will be held in the countries of more than 350 crores people this year.
So, the year 2024 is a unique political year for the world. Major elections have been held or will be held in 70 countries, including Taiwan, Russia, Ghana, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Mexico, India and others, as well as in the European Union, where a new European Parliament will be elected.
Almost half of the world's adult population-around 2 billion people- will participate in national elections worldwide.
According to Time magazine reports, the combined population of countries that will hold elections in 2024 is about 49 percent of the world's total population.
Let's take a quick look at when and in which country elections will be held this year-
Election at the beginning of the year
At the beginning of the year, that is, on January 7, the 12th National Parliament elections were held in Bangladesh.
The ruling party Awami League won this election. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina took over as Prime Minister for the fourth time in a row.
Then on January 13, the presidential election was held in Taiwan. Lai Ching of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidential election. DPP is taking a strong stand for Taiwan's independence.
The center-right National Coalition Party (NCP) won the most seats in Finland's January 28 parliamentary election. However, due to lack of majority, the coalition government is in power in the country.
Prior to this, parliamentary elections were held in Bhutan on January 9, presidential elections in Comoros on January 14 and parliamentary elections in Tuvalu on January 26.
National Assembly elections were held in Pakistan on February 8. No party got majority in this election. Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to power in alliance with several political parties including the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister for second time. Pakistan's election this year has been at the center of discussion as jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been kept out of the fray.
According to ABC News, the highest number of people voted in a single day was last February 14. On this day, the presidential election was held in Indonesia. There were 20 crores 50 lakh registered voters in the country. Prabowo Subianto, a candidate supported by President Joko Widodo, won.
In February, presidential elections were held in Azerbaijan, El Salvador and Senegal, Senate elections in Cambodia and parliamentary elections in Belarus. Mali's presidential election was supposed to be held this month, but the country's junta has postponed it.
Center right wins in Portugal
The last general election was held last Sunday (March 10), in Portugal. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) claimed victory in this election, but didn't get the majority.
The party has to form a coalition government. The two main opponents in the election, the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) and the center-left Socialist Party (PS) received about 29 percent of the vote.
Russia on the way to election
The last election in Russia was held in 2018. Vladimir Putin was then re-elected as president. Putin has been in power since 1999. Sometimes as Prime Minister, sometimes as Head of State.
Voting will once again be held in Russia from March 15 to 17. Analysts say Putin is looking to re-elect to ensure he remains in power for another six years.
The election is going to be held at a time when former KGB agent Putin's confidence is high. This time, however, three people are competing with Putin. Kremlin-approved candidates are said to have endorsed these candidates to turn the election into a contest.
However, Vladimir Putin has been criticized around the world for the recent death of opposition party leader and activist Alexei Navalny while in prison.
Iran-Ukraine vote
Elections for the Parliament and Council of Experts were held in Iran on March 1. In this election, the voter turnout is low, but the conservatives have strengthened their power.
Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Ukraine on March 31. However, it is not yet certain whether the voters of the country at war with Russia will have the opportunity to choose the successor of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Martial law is going on in the country.
India on the verge of Parliament election
India is called the largest democratic country in the world. Lok Sabha elections are going to be held in next April-May in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to secure it's third term and in a good position in the current context, many feel.
On the other hand, the Congress, Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties are moving forward with a strategy of coalition fighting against the BJP.
Parliament elections will be held in South Korea on April 10. North Korea will also vote on the Supreme People's Assembly on the same day. Presidential elections will be held in North Macedonia on April 24. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in the Solomon Islands this month.
A look at the European Parliament
European Parliament elections from 6 to 9 June. Europeans will elect the members of the EU coalition parliament through voting. The membership of the EU is now 27. The fight for the votes of this alliance is therefore under the eyes of the world.
Before that, Madagascar is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in May. Panama will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on May 5.
Presidential and Senate elections will be held in the Dominican Republic on May 19. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in South Africa between May and August.
The Biden-Trump fight on November
The most talked about election of this year is going to be on November 5. On that day, the presidential election in the United States. If everything goes well, current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will fight for the vote.
Trump is a person who is discussed and also heavily criticized. Many are skeptical about Biden because of his age. So the people of the world are eagerly waiting to see the result of the vote.
It remains to be seen whether the position of the head of state of one of the most powerful countries changes, or whether American voters trust Biden.
Mexico votes in June
Next June 2 is election day in Mexico. On this day, the country will vote for the president, the senate and the lower house of the parliament.
Parliamentary elections in Belgium in the same month (June 9). Presidential elections will be held in Iceland on June 1 and in Mauritania on June 22. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Mongolia this month.
On the other hand, the next presidential election is scheduled to be held in the African country of Rwanda on July 15. Parliamentary elections in Austria on September 29.
Many elections at the end of the year
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan between October and December. Presidential elections will be held in Mozambique on October 9.
African countries Chad and Botswana may hold presidential and parliamentary elections in October. And on October 26, the presidential election will be held in Georgia. The next day, October 27, presidential and parliamentary elections in Uruguay.
Jordan, Moldova and Romania will hold presidential elections in November-December. Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Palau on November 12.
Parliament elections are scheduled to be held in San Marino in December. South Sudan will hold presidential and parliamentary elections in the same month.
Algeria and Venezuela will hold presidential elections this month. The UK House of Commons vote will take place in December. Ghana's presidential election will be held on December 7.
