Elections have consequences.
2024 is an extraordinary year of global elections. Over 60 countries and billions of people are voting in their national elections. They include the world’s three largest democratic countries: India, the United States and Indonesia.
This great democratic exercise takes place at a time when concerns of democratic backsliding are on the rise, with technology turbocharging the process.
Throughout 2024, NPR’s international correspondents are offering sound-rich storytelling and views from voters, thinkers and players. We also provide a global perspective to November’s U.S. presidential election.
Here are some of the elections we have covered since January, and upcoming elections that our correspondents are closely following.
Bangladesh
Parliamentary, Jan. 7
Election campaigning in Bangladesh was marred by violence, a government crackdown on critics and opponents, and the proliferation of AI-generated disinformation. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote. Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League continued their rule.
Related coverage
— Bangladesh’s prime minister wins overwhelming majority as opposition boycotts vote
— Bangladesh’s Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces trouble in his homeland
Taiwan
Presidential, Jan. 13
Taiwan’s presidential election in January was seen as a crucial race that would shape the future of Asian security. The pro-independence candidate from the Democratic Progress Party (DPP), William Lai, won the election and was sworn in on May 20. On May 23, Beijing launched “punishment” drills around Taiwan, in what it said was a response to “separatist acts.”
Related coverage
— Taiwan’s new president urges China to stop its military intimidation
— China launches military drills surrounding Taiwan
— Analysis: Taiwan’s election was a vote for continuity, but adds uncertainty in ties with China
El Salvador
Presidential and legislative, Feb. 4
El Salvador’s election was dominated by debate over the trade-off between security and democracy. Popular but authoritarian President Nayib Bukele surprised no one by claiming a landslide victory.
Related coverage
— El Salvador’s popular but authoritarian president declares election victory
— The Sunday Story: The price of peace in El Salvador
— El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, receives a warm welcome at CPAC
Pakistan
Parliamentary, Feb. 8
Pakistan has been convulsed by a political crisis since its Parliament ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Khan was jailed on corruption charges but continued to campaign for his party, including using an AI-generated voice to address supporters. Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister after securing the military’s backing.
Related coverage
— Pakistan’s new prime minister is also the country’s old prime minister
— Many Pakistanis appear to defy crackdown on popular leader as they vote in elections
— The ultra-high-tech development in Pakistan’s parliamentary election
Indonesia
Presidential and legislative, Feb. 14
Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population and ranks as one of the biggest democracies, but its politics are dominated by a small group of powerful elites. Prabowo Subianto, a former general who was once banned from entering the U.S., was elected as president.
Related coverage
— Election in Indonesia Presents a Challenge for the U.S.
— Ex-general Prabowo Subianto claims victory in Indonesia’s presidential election
— 3 things you should know about Indonesia’s presidential elections
Russia
Presidential, March 15-17
President Vladimir Putin won another six-year term in a stage-managed vote, during which other candidates did not even criticize him. True critics were barred from running. Despite a costly war in Ukraine, Putin retains widespread support in Russia, thanks in part to increased political repression that criminalizes criticism and opposition.
Related coverage
— After a quarter century in power, Russian President Putin isn’t going anywhere
— Why Russia holds presidential elections even though Putin is all but assured a win
— Russian President Putin makes first trip since inauguration to critical ally China
India
Parliamentary, April 19 – June 1
Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won a third term leading the world’s most populous country. The election results, however, were disappointing to Modi, who after a decade in power is facing critics inside and outside India over democratic backsliding, including his treatment of India’s Muslim minority.
Related coverage
— Indian leader Narendra Modi was sworn in for 3rd term as prime minister
— What does the death of a jailed Jesuit priest say about India’s democracy under Modi?
— India’s elections have included a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric by Hindu nationalists
South Africa
Parliamentary, May 29
Amid economic woes and corruption scandals, South Africa’s governing African, National Congress party, lost its majority for the first time since apartheid ended in 1994. Africa’s oldest liberation movement must now share power in a coalition government in what was the biggest shake-up of the post-Nelson Mandela era.
Related coverage
— South Africa’s African National Congress loses absolute majority for the first time
— Nelson Mandela’s party could lose their absolute majority in South Africa
— South Africa’s ruling party faces its greatest challenge yet in upcoming elections
Mexico
Presidential and legislative, June 2
Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was overwhelmingly elected Mexico’s first female president, a historic milestone in a country rife with gender-based violence and misogyny.
Related coverage
— La Presidenta: Mexico Elects Its First Woman to the Presidency
— A trailblazing feminist says Mexico’s ‘triumph’ of a first female president is no surprise
— In Mexico’s election, social programs could be a deciding factor for voters
European Parliament
Parliamentary, June 6-9
The far-right scored better than before across the European Union, but seems unable to form a parliamentary grouping that would give it real power. The three traditional centrist party alliances maintain their hold on power and are likely to accept the reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. Policy is expected to shift away from the previous emphasis on hitting ambitious target goals.
Related coverage
— Far-right gains in EU elections deal defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz
— European parliamentary election results offer a glimpse into EU priorities
— Takeaways from the European parliamentary elections
Iran
Presidential, June 28
Iran is heading to a second round of presidential elections, on July 5, to elect a successor to the late Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. The first round of voting on June 28 was marked by low voter turnout. For hard-liners, the goal is to maintain their grip on the presidency, but ultimately in Iran, the power to make major decisions rests with the supreme leader.
Related coverage
— Iran will hold a runoff election between a reformist and a hard-liner
— Here’s what to know about Iran’s presidential election
— Iran’s president died in a helicopter crash. Who will replace him?
France
Legislative, June 30 and July 7
On June 9, President Emmanuel Macron dissolved Parliament and called snap two-round elections after the far-right National Rally party came first in France’s vote for European Parliament. Analysts say he’s betting that French voters were using the EU vote to “send a message” and don’t want the National Rally to run France. But polls ahead of the election show the far-right — now led by Jordan Bardella, a TikTok-savvy 28-year-old — widening its lead.
Related coverage
— What to know about France’s high-stakes election, where the far right is gaining ground
— France’s National Rally leads in polls as it tries to shed ‘far right’ label
— France’s far right is gaining momentum for the first time since World War II
— Campaigning kicks off as the French prepare to elect a new parliament
United Kingdom
Parliamentary, July 4
The governing Conservative Party has been amping divisive issues, including climate and immigration, as it trails the opposition Labour Party in polls. The U.K. is a member of the G7 bloc of leading industrialized nations.
Related coverage
— State of the World podcast: Are British Politics Broken?
— The UK will go to polls after a surprise win for the far-right in the European Parliament elections
— A week before elections, British party leaders trade barbs during TV debate
Venezuela
Presidential, July 28
Venezuela will hold its presidential election on July 28. In the run-up to the vote, the government, led by authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro, has been accused of using a combination of dirty tricks, including banning some opposition politicians from running. Opinion polls suggest the main opposition candidate is on course to win. But the question is, will these elections be free and fair and the results honored?
Related coverage
— In Venezuela, the Maduro regime is making it difficult for many people to vote
— Venezuela’s president faces criminal prosecution if he loses reelection in July
— Venezuela’s regime aims to demoralize the opposition ahead of July’s election
— Venezuela’s contest features songs of praise for the authoritarian leader
United States
Presidential and legislative, Nov. 5
President Biden and former President Donald Trump are likely headed for a rematch of the 2020 election. U.S. intelligence officials say multiple foreign actors are likely to target voters this time.
Related coverage
— Why people around the world are following the U.S. presidential campaign
— How U.S. allies and partners see the November election
— U.S. presidents and foreign policy
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