2024 is set to be a record year for elections. Nearly half of the world’s population is set to head out to the polls to vote for a new leader.
Billions of people in more than 40 countries, including India, Mexico, the U.S. and parts of Africa, Asia and Europe will vote this year.
Here’s your 2024 election guide.
Bangladesh: 7 January
Sheikh Hasina won a fifth term as PM. The Australian Government flagged concern about recent violence and the arrests of opposition members in the country.
Taiwan: 13 January
Voters elected Lai Ching-te for President in the third successive victory for Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.
Tuvalu: 26 January
Australia agreed to welcome Tuvalu residents affected by climate change, after PM Kausea Natano called for action to combat rising sea levels. Tuvalu’s Opposition has vowed to scrap the deal if it wins the election.
Pakistan: 8 February
The sitting party has cracked down on its opponents, including jailed ex-PM/retired cricketer Imran Khan.
Indonesia: 14 February
The world’s third-largest democracy will elect a new leader, with Joko Widodo reaching the end of his maximum two terms as President.
Senegal: 25 February
President Macky Sall will step down, giving way to a new leader. The jailed Opposition Leader lost a legal challenge, meaning he might not be able to run.
Iran: 1 March
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s loyalists are expected to be re-elected to the country’s legislative assembly.
Russia: 15-17 March
President Vladimir Putin looks certain to continue his invasion of Ukraine and his Presidency.
Slovakia: March-April
The country’s first female President, Zuzana Čaputová, will step down.
India: April-May
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP, are seeking to hold onto power in the world’s biggest democracy of 1.4 billion people.
Solomon Islands: April
The Pacific Island nation has forged closer ties with China, prompting concern from Australia.
South Korea: 10 April
A Legislative Assembly race will feature a stand off between the ruling Conservatives and Liberal opponents.
South Africa: May-August
After 30 years in power, ANC (the party once led by Nelson Mandela) is facing strong opposition from the Democratic Alliance party.
Mexico: 2 June
Mexico looks set for its first female leader to replace outgoing President López Obrador.
European Union: 6-9 June
The 27 European Union member states will vote for up to 750 members of the European Parliament.
Rwanda: 15 July
President Paul Kagame will likely return to power after suppressing his main rivals.
Austria: September
The country’s far-right party has surged in popularity over recent years, with a focus on issues like migration.
Uruguay: 27 October
President Luis Lacalle Pou is stepping down. His centre-right party will face a left-wing challenge on rising crime.
Jordan: November
An election is anticipated in November in the Middle Eastern country, which has been destabilised by an economic crisis and regional conflict.
U.S.: 5 November
Likely another Biden/Trump showdown, where cost of living, international conflicts, and corruption allegations will dominate debates.
UK: Date TBC
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to call a general election later this year, as Parliament must dissolve by December 17.
Scandals, leadership instability, and economic challenges have seen the Conservative Government’s popularity slip in recent years. Polls indicate Labour leader Keir Starmer could beat Sunak at the next election.
Venezuela: Date TBC
A Presidential election is expected to be held in December. President Nicolás Maduro is likely to stay in power, and the vote is not anticipated to be free or fair.
Sri Lanka: Date TBC
President Ranil Wickremesinghe became leader during the country’s political crisis in 2022, and is running for a second term in an uncertain climate in 2024.
Algeria: Date TBC
Abdelmadjid Tebboune may seek a second term as President of the oil-rich north African country, where political opposition has been largely silenced.
Croatia: Date TBC
Croatia is due to hold Parliamentary and presidential elections this year. It joined the European Union in 2013 and transitioned to the euro last year.
