2024 is a super election year: the European elections will take place in June, the US presidential election in November and at the end of April more people will be called to vote in a democratic election in India than ever before. This graphic shows which countries will still hold elections this year.
This year more people will vote worldwide than ever before. Elections are expected to be held in 64 nation states and the entire European Union in the next twelve months. A full 49 percent of the world’s population could, at least theoretically, participate more or less democratically in their country’s politics.
Germany: State elections and European elections in the summer
In Germany, voters are encouraged to cast their votes in the European elections on June 9th. The people of Europe thus decide who should represent them in the European Parliament.
Two months later, things get exciting in East Germany. On September 1st, a new state parliament will be elected in Thuringia and Saxony. Three weeks later, on September 22nd, the people of Brandenburg will elect a new Prime Minister.
Elections will take place in these other countries in 2024
Internationally, things will be particularly exciting in India, the United States and Great Britain. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently still on a high after the successful local elections in the winter, both the ruling Tories in the United Kingdom and the Democrats in the USA fear losing parliament and the presidency. Things are likely to be clearer in Russia, Syria and North Korea. The elections in the three autocratically led countries are likely to have been decided before the votes are cast.
For this reason, the respective Freedom House values of each country are noted in the following list. The Freedom House Index is published annually by the US non-governmental organization (NGO) Freedom House. The NGO classifies the development of political rights and civil liberties in all countries as “free”, “partly free” or “not free”. Expert interviews and analyzes are used as the basis for the classification.
The analysis of political rights is based on the assessment of the subcategories elections, pluralism and participation. The civil liberties of a state are determined through the categories of freedom of belief, freedom of assembly and association, the rule of law and individual freedom. Points are awarded in each subcategory. The closer the sum of these points is to 100, the freer democracy is rated. Germany has a Freedom House Index score of 94 out of 100 points.
Here is an overview of this year’s elections:
Europe
European Union
The European elections will take place in the 27 member states between June 6th and 9th. In Germany, all eligible voters are called upon to cast their vote on Sunday, June 9th. With a total population of 448 million people, the European elections are the second largest voting in 2024.
Russia
144 million Russians elected a president in March. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Russia as “” with a score of 16 out of 100 possible points.
Great Britain
In the United Kingdom, 67.9 million people are also voting for a new House of Commons. The elections are likely to take place as early as 2024, but no later than January 28, 2025. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Great Britain as “” with a score of 93 out of 100 possible points.
Ukraine
Actually, 37.4 million Ukrainians are supposed to elect a new president on March 31st. However, due to martial law, Volodymyr Zelensky’s election could be postponed. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Ukraine as “” with a score of 50 out of 100 possible points.
Romania
Almost 20 million Romanians will be called to vote at the end of the year. The President, Senate and House of Representatives are elected. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Romania as “” with a score of 83 out of 100 possible points.
Belgium
Almost twelve million people in Belgium will also vote for the national House of Representatives on the day of the European elections, June 9th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Belgium as “” with a score of 96 out of 100 possible points.
Czech Republic
10.5 million people in the Czech Republic are voting for a new Senate this year. An exact date has not yet been set. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in the Czech Republic as “” with a score of 92 out of 100 possible points.
Portugal
The ten million inhabitants of Portugal elected a new parliament, the Assembleia da República, on March 10th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Portugal as “” with a score of 96 out of 100 possible points.
Belarus
Almost ten million people in Belarus are expected to elect a new House of Representatives on February 25th. However, the Freedom House Index classifies democracy in Belarus as “” with a score of eight out of 100 possible points.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan also held a presidential election this year on February 7th. However, the Freedom House Index rates democracy in Azerbaijan as “” with a score of nine out of 100 possible points.
Austria
Nine million Austrians will elect a new National Council on September 29th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Austria as “” with a score of 93 out of 100 possible points.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, six million residents were called to vote this year. On April 7th, the populist social democrat Pellegrini was elected as the new president of Slovakia. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Slovakia as “” with a score of 90 out of 100 possible points.
Finland
On January 28, Finns elected a new president. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Finland as “” with a score of 100 out of 100 possible points.
Croatia
Four million people in Croatia will elect a new president and a new parliament in December 2024. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Croatia as “” with a score of 84 out of 100 possible points.
Asia
India
In India, 1.4 billion people are called to vote. The election for Lok Shaba, the first chamber of the Indian Parliament, will take place from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in India as “” with a score of 66 out of 100 possible points.
Indonesia
While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Germany, 279 million people in Indonesia are called to vote. On February 14, both a new president and a new composition of the Regional Representative Council and House of Representatives were chosen. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Indonesia as “” with a score of 58 out of 100 possible points.
Pakistan
An election has also been held in Pakistan this year. The 243 million people elected a new National Assembly on February 8th. However, the Freedom House Index only rates democracy in Pakistan as “” with a score of 37 out of 100 possible points.
Bangladesh
174 million people in Bangladesh were called to vote for a new parliament on January 7th. However, the Freedom House Index only rates democracy in Bangladesh as “” with a score of 40 out of 100 possible points.
Iran
90 million Iranians elected a new Islamic Consultative Assembly and Assembly of Experts on March 1st. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Iran as “” with a score of twelve out of 100 possible points.
South Korea
The 52 million South Koreans also elected a new National Assembly on April 10th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in South Korea as “” with a score of 83 out of 100 possible points.
North Korea
Of course it sounds like a farce, but on paper elections are also held in dictatorial North Korea. The Supreme People’s Assembly was elected on April 10. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in North Korea as “” with a score of three out of 100 possible points.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s 24 million residents elected a new president on January 13th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Taiwan as “” with a score of 94 out of 100 possible points.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s 22 million residents are also electing a new president and a new parliament this year. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Sri Lanka as “” with a score of 54 out of 100 possible points.
Cambodia
Elections also took place in Cambodia on February 25th. 17 million people decided on a new Senate. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Cambodia as “” with a score of 24 out of 100 possible points.
North and South America
USA
On November 5th, the United States will elect not only a new (or old) president but also the Senate and House of Representatives. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in the USA as “” with a score of 83 out of 100 possible points.
Mexico
In Mexico, 129 million people will elect a new president, Senate and Chamber of Deputies on June 2nd. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Mexico as “” with a score of 60 out of 100 possible points.
Venezuela
29 million people in Venezuela are expected to elect a new president in December. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Venezuela as “” with a score of 15 out of 100 possible points.
Africa
South Africa
The 61 million South Africans will elect a new National Assembly on May 29, 2024. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in South Africa as “” with a score of 79 out of 100 possible points.
Algeria
46 million Algerians will elect a new president in December 2024. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in South Korea as “” with a score of 32 out of 100 possible points.
Ghana
34 million people in Ghana will elect a new president and a new parliament on December 7th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Ghana as “” with a score of 80 out of 100 possible points.
Senegal
18 million people in Senegal were called on February 25th to elect a new president. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Senegal as “” with a score of 68 out of 100 possible points.
Rwanda
Rwanda will elect a new president and a new House of Representatives on July 15th. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Rwanda as “” with a score of 23 out of 100 possible points.
Tunisia
Tunisia is also holding a presidential election this fall. An exact date has not yet been set. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Tunisia as “” with a score of 56 out of 100 possible points.
Togo
Nine million Togolese will vote on a national assembly on April 20, 2024. The Freedom House Index rates democracy in Togo as “” with a score of 42 out of 100 possible points.
Georgia, Uruguay, Tuvalu: More elections this year
Also in Madagascar, Chad, Uzbekistan, Syria, Mozambique, South Sudan, El Salvador, Mauritania, Panama, Georgia, Mongolia, Uruguay, Moldova, Lithuania, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Botswana, Namibia, Guinea-Bissau, North Macedonia, Mauritius, The Comoros, Bhutan, Solomon Islands, Maldives, Iceland, Kiribati, San Marino, Palau and Tuvalu will be elected this year. All information can be found on the interactive map.
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
