Worldwide, elections will be attended by more than 4.2 billion people, or more than half of the world’s population, in 2024.
Seventy-eight countries will hold 83 national-level executive or legislative elections in the next year and we won’t see that many again until 2048, according to Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.
In addition, 2024 will be the most election-filled year in global history, demonstrating the continued strength of democratic ideals around the world.
The polls—touching almost every continent—are scheduled to start right away in the first week of January. The Asian continent will see the highest number of voters exercising their right to self-determination.
As per The Economist, some places, such as Brazil and Turkey, will not hold general elections but have local or municipal elections in which the whole country will participate. Similarly, the European Union’s 27 member states will elect the bloc’s next parliament.
More than 4.2 billion people — representing more than half of the world’s population — across the globe will participate in elections in 2024.
Seventy-eight countries will hold 83 national-level executive or legislative elections in the next year and we won’t see that many again until 2048, according to Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.
2024 is also the largest election year in terms of sheer volume in the world’s history, showcasing the enduring power of democratic principles across the globe.
The polls — touching almost every continent — are scheduled to start right from the first week of January. The Asian continent will see the highest number of voters exercising their right to self-determination.
As per The Economist, some places, such as Brazil and Turkey, will not hold general elections but have local or municipal elections in which the whole country will participate. Similarly, the European Union’s 27 member states will elect the bloc’s next parliament.
2024 is a culmination of trends that are designed to erode trust in institutions and I think what’s key here is to keep an eye on the smaller elections as well as the big ones. — NDI Director Kay Spencer
Many of the nations that are going to polls are part of some of the world’s powerful groups like G20 and G7, which means that there may be some geopolitical impacts, and the international landscape is also likely to be affected.
Although elections in some countries will be mere formalities, offering little to no influence — such as Russia — on the existing power structures, others will be pivotal moments for shaping national policies and leadership — including the United States.
The ‘big year’ will start with the January elections in Bangladesh and despite the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to complete her 15 years in power.
Two large Muslim countries, Pakistan and Indonesia, will hold elections in February, almost a week apart. In Pakistan, it is unclear who might form the government, but according to American Journalist David A Andelman, Indonesia’s voters are “unlikely to loosen the grips on the power of wealthy business and military elites”.
In May, Africa’s most industrialised nation — South Africa — will hold elections seen as the most crucial ones since the end of apartheid in 1994. The other nations who will decide their fate include Algeria, Botswana, Chad, Comoros, Ghana, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Somaliland, South Sudan, Tunisia and Togo.
The continent will see the highest number of elections in 2024.
In the upcoming polls, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces an uphill task as fears grow that it may not secure the necessary 50% of votes needed to retain power.
