Elections Taking Place Throughout the World in 2024

    Living in America, it can often feel as though our elections are the only ones that take place and that matter the most. However, in this week's blog, we will be taking a look at the sheer number of elections taking place throughout the world during the year 2024. It is important to take into account the number of countries that hold elections and how each one matters not just to that individual country, but to how the people elected will choose to interact with the rest of the world. As well as how each country goes about the voting and election process. 2024 is an incredible year for elections worldwide, "as at least 64 countries," including the European Union, will be holding national elections (Ewe). These elections will impact and represent, "about 49%," of the world's population, which will play a substantial role in the course of the international arena for years to come (Ewe). 

    It is important to note that while all of these states are holding elections, they each are very unique to that nation and are not always considered to be free and fair. While the United States historically represents free and fair elections, with some allegations, it is quite different for other states throughout the world when it comes to elections and how the people's votes are counted. An example of this could be seen in Bangladesh as their Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, is set to win his fourth consecutive term despite the elections having upheaval as the nation's main opposition party protests in order to focus and get to the bottom of any political dissent taking place within the country and during the election process. This is unfortunately a very common occurrence throughout many elections across the world; however, it is not always common for the opposition party to feel comfortable or safe enough to protest and speak out against a party that has been in office and in power for a long period of time. Another example of a messy election could be seen in Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also seen as the country's most popular politician, has been arrested and is in jail. This is in combination with his political party being suppressed by the current government as well as his supporters being arrested. This is a clear and obvious disruption and unfair election which unfortunately takes place far more than what is talked about. It is imperative as elections take place throughout the year 2024, that citizens and governments throughout the world pay close attention to how the elections are carried out and handled in order to become more aware and educated on the realities of not free and unfair elections in order to mitigate them.

    Another important thing to factor in is how these elections taking place throughout the world will impact how the world and these individual countries will choose to interact with and work alongside the rest of the countries and world. These upcoming elections hold a lot of weight when it comes to how certain countries will go about important and time sensitive matters that more now than ever often include other countries. As globalization continues to grow, individual countries become more intertwined with others and what one country decides to do often impacts other countries. Nations have also appeared to be on the verge of economic and political disagreements with other nations for quite some time now; however, it appears to have been amplified after the Corona Virus pandemic. That being said, certain states are quite on edge and these elections could really predict the future of their country and their relationships with others. Just one example of this, however a very important and dire example, could be seen in Taiwan. As they face their presidential election in 2024, the candidate elected plays a drastic role in Beijing's reaction and their, "approach to the self-governed island it has repeatedly threatened with invasion," (Ewe). This will play an extremely large role in not only the direct countries involved but also how other nations will react, including the United States, and whether or not governments will get involved. 

    Overall, these 64+ elections will certainly play a drastic and world-shaping role as over half of the world's populations will be impacted by the election decisions and outcomes. As well as the international sphere having to work together more now than ever in order to continue to grow economically and to mitigate any possible chance of escalation during the transitional period of so many states. It will certainly be interesting to see how each country handles the elections and how it will all factor into political and economic relationships and decisions.

Ewe, K. (2023, December 28). Elections Around the World in 2024. Time. https://time.com/6550920/world-elections-2024/