The world is gearing up for an election-filled year, with 50 countries, including major players like the United States and the United Kingdom, set to undergo the electoral process. Notably, South Asia has already witnessed elections in Bangladesh and Bhutan, followed by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, posing a substantial test for the democratic process in the region.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured a fourth consecutive term in office, according to the country’s electoral commission, maintaining her title as the world’s longest serving female head of government in an election.
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India is set to witness a populist leader’s attempt to secure a second decade in power, navigating a political landscape marked by popularity and religious divisiveness.
In Pakistan, a cricket legend and former prime minister faces imprisonment, contrasting with a one-time fugitive eyeing a comeback, all under the vigilant watch of a powerful military. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, strives for recovery following protests that breached the presidential palace.
A Resounding Victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
The Bangladesh Awami League has affirmed its dominance over the state for the fourth consecutive term, securing Sheikh Hasina’s position as prime minister for an unprecedented fifth term. This victory marks a historic moment in Bangladesh’s political history.
Voter turnout was 41.8 percent in the national election. So far, results have been declared for 298 out of 299 seats. Out of these, the Awami League has won in 223 constituencies. The Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, and Bangladesh Kalyan Party have each secured one seat. Independents have gained the most victories after major parties, with 61 seats, with many of them aligned with the Awami League. The main opposition party in parliament, the National Party, has won 11 constituencies.
The people of Bangladesh have accepted the election, and have shown their trust and support for Hasina and her vision. The people have chosen democracy stability, and harmony over chaos, corruption, and violence. The election is not only a victory for democracy but also for Bangladesh and its future. In her speech, Sheikh Hasina stated that many people have diverse dreams. Many had tried to halt this election, but their efforts were in vain.
Bhutan:
Nearly half a million voters are eligible to choose 47 members of parliament or from among 94 candidates.
As the echoes of Bhutan’s parliamentary election reverberate, media reports unveil the triumph for Former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), poised to seize the reins and forge a new government. Amidst the backdrop of an economic crisis casting shadows over the Himalayan nation, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service’s report resonates with the resounding victory of the PDP, securing an impressive 30 out of 47 National Assembly seats, while the Bhutan Tendrel Party claims the remaining 17.
According to Section 8 of Article 15 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is declared the Ruling Party in the 4th National Assembly Elections, 2023-2024, having secured the majority with 30 seats. The Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), with 17 seats, is declared the Opposition Party.
The overall voter turnout stands at 65.6%, with 3,26,775 out of 4,98,135 eligible registered voters casting their votes. Of the total votes, 2,18,273 were cast in person using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 809 polling stations, while 1,08,502 votes were cast through Postal Ballots (In-country & Overseas) and Special Early Voting (SEV).
This watershed moment marks the nation’s fourth general election since its metamorphosis from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of governance in 2008.
Economic Challenges
Economic tumult and opportunity took center stage in the election campaigns, a paradox against the backdrop of Bhutan’s distinctive use of a “Gross National Happiness” index, transcending the conventional Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Both participating parties, the PDP and the Bhutan Tendrel Party, pledge allegiance to a constitutionally enshrined philosophy, one that measures governmental success by the ethereal metrics of “happiness and wellbeing of the people.”
At the helm of this transformative moment is Tshering Tobgay, aged 58, poised to ascend to the prime ministerial throne for the second time. His political journey, from opposition leader in Bhutan’s inaugural parliament in 2008 to the precipice of a second term, intertwines with the trajectory of the present king’s reign. Amidst the victory celebrations, Tobgay raises the alarm about Bhutan’s “unprecedented economic challenges and mass exodus,” injecting a note of urgency into the post-election narrative.
As the political landscape transforms, approximately half a million voters cast their ballots, selecting representatives from a diverse pool of 94 candidates fielded by the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) and the PDP. Notably, the elimination of three other parties, including the center-left Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa party, during the primary round in November, adds layers of significance to this electoral saga.
Before the curtains fall on the electoral stage, both political contenders, BTP and PDP, brandish similar manifestos, pledging to propel the $3 billion economy forward. Bhutan’s heavy reliance on aid and tourism, the lifeblood of its economic engine, remains a critical focal point. Their shared vision extends to harnessing hydroelectric power, stimulating agricultural growth, and mitigating climate change risks in this globally unique carbon-negative nation.
India:
In the upcoming spring elections, India, the world’s most populous nation, will select its 17th Parliament. The primary contest features the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, and the INDIA coalition, led by the Indian National Congress. With an electorate exceeding 600 million, Modi is anticipated to retain power, ensuring continuity in domestic and foreign policies, particularly in global assertiveness and strategic autonomy. The ongoing border crisis with China is not expected to alter the India-Pakistan relationship.
As India, often hailed as the world’s largest democracy, prepares for this significant election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is positioned to secure an unprecedented third term. His leadership, reminiscent of the authoritative rule seen during the 1970s under Indira Gandhi, has reinforced control over democratic institutions. Despite India’s notable achievements in 2023, critics argue that the country’s foundational secular and democratic principles are eroding rapidly. The BJP’s majoritarian policies are accused of marginalizing minorities, with government criticism subjected to censorship and severe penalties. Modi faces competition from the INDIA alliance, a coalition of 26 parties, including the Indian National Congress. However, recent setbacks for the Congress party in regional elections have strengthened Modi’s BJP. Analysts emphasize the unpredictability of Indian politics as the election approaches, expressing hopes for a credible opposition challenge while acknowledging the dynamic nature of political circumstances.
Pakistan:
Amidst a backdrop of historical political upheavals, Pakistan is set to hold general elections on February 8. Leading candidates include Imran Khan’s party, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz, and the Pakistan People’s Party led by Asif Ali Zardari. The roles of Khan and Sharif, both previously disqualified, remain uncertain for potential future governments.
Over the past 76 years, Pakistan, with a population of 230 million, has predominantly been under the influence of political dynasties or military establishments. Notably, the country has not seen a democratically elected leader complete a full five-year term since gaining independence.
Recent times have seen a recurring mix of political instability, militant attacks, and a severe economic crisis impacting middle and lower-income families in Pakistan. Imran Khan, the former prime minister, currently faces incarceration on charges of fraud and revealing state secrets, making him ineligible to participate in the upcoming February polls.
Electoral system
The 336 members of the National Assembly consist of 266 general seats elected by first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies, 60 seats reserved for women elected by proportional representation based on the number of general seats won by each party in each province, and ten seats reserved for non-Muslims elected through proportional representation based on the number of overall general seats won by each party.
In July 2023, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) called for political parties to apply for electoral symbols. By July 25, 2023, Pakistan had around 127 million registered voters, compared to 106 million in 2018. The data indicated 58.5 million eligible female voters (46% of the total) and 68.5 million eligible male voters (54%).
In late September, the ECP allowed citizens over 18 to update voter details until October 25, 2023, unfreezing electoral rolls for corrections. On November 2, 2023, President Arif Alvi and the ECP agreed to hold general elections on February 8, following a meeting ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).
The Election Commission issued the election schedule on December 15, 2023, with December 22 set as the deadline for filing nomination papers. Later, on December 22, 2023, the ECP extended the nomination paper submission deadline by two days, until December 24, 2023.
Sri Lanka
As per the Sri Lankan Constitution, presidential elections are slated to take place between September and October 2024. During this electoral process, voters will choose a president to serve a five-year term. The current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, is qualified to seek re-election.
Electoral system
In Sri Lanka, the President is chosen through limited ranked voting, allowing voters to express up to three preferences. If no candidate secures over 50% in the initial count, all but the top two candidates are eliminated. The second and third preferences of the eliminated candidates are then distributed until one of the remaining two achieves a majority. Despite existing since 1981, this system has seen limited use, as candidates from the two major parties typically win in the first count. Consequently, many citizens opt to mark only one candidate, unaware they can rank multiple options.
Almost two years ago, the then-President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, found himself compelled to leave the country as irate protesters breached his residence, holding him responsible for the nation’s most severe economic downturn in 73 years.
In the aftermath, Rajapaksa resigned from his position, opening the path for the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, to assume office. In the upcoming elections, anticipated before September, Wickremesinghe is poised to seek a second term, following his instrumental role in securing a crucial loan from the International Monetary Fund and implementing extensive budgetary reforms to foster financial growth.
Since the last general election in 2018, Sri Lanka has not witnessed another, with Wickremesinghe repeatedly postponing the polls due to the persisting economic crisis. As the nation’s economy and its people gradually recover, a specific election date is yet to be announced, leaving uncertainties about whether 2024 will be the year when the citizens determine their future leader.