The year 2024 has been marked as an 'election year,' with numerous general and national elections held worldwide, significantly shaping global politics and governance. These include presidential elections in the United States and Russia, as well as elections in rival nations Pakistan and India, where new representatives and parliamentarians were chosen.

Elections and democracy go side by side as former US statesman Abraham Lincoln — who abolished slavery from America — said “The ballot is stronger than the bullet”, millions of people across the globe went for the democratic procedure of voting to exercise their right to vote for a self-government.

In Pakistan, elections were held on February 8 after much political drama, and subsequently, a coalition government was formed led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In the United States, defying all political pundits and surveys by the mainstream media, Donald Trump from the Grand Old Party (GOP) Republican won and became the new president of the United States. In Russia, Vladimir Putin was elected for another ten years after winning Russia’s presidential elections. In India, people choose Narendra Modi for the third consecutive term.

In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajid won the elations but fled the country and took refuge in India after people took to the streets and Dhaka fell to the student's uprising.

Several African, Latin American countries, and European Union countries held elections to choose new representatives.

Below is a chronological list of notable elections that took place from Bangladesh to the recent United States elections:

Pakistan: General elections were held on February 8.

United Kingdom: The general elections were held on July 4, 2024, resulting in a change of government.

United States: On November 5, 2024, the United States held its presidential and congressional elections. Donald Trump won a second, non-consecutive term as President, defeating incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris. Additionally, the Republican Party gained control of the Senate.

Bangladesh: The general elections were held on January 7, 2024, resulting in the re-election of the ruling party.

India: The general elections commenced on April 19 and concluded on June 1, 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost its outright majority in the Lok Sabha; however, its alliance, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), retained a majority, allowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure a third term.

Mexico: On June 2, 2024, Mexico held its general elections, electing Claudia Sheinbaum as the country's first female president.

European Union: The European Parliament elections were conducted between June 6 and 9, 2024. The European People's Party (EPP) retained its status as the largest group in parliament, amid notable gains by far-right political groups.

South Africa: The general elections on June 14, 2024, led to the African National Congress (ANC) losing its majority for the first time since apartheid. Subsequently, a national unity government was formed, with Cyril Ramaphosa re-elected as President.

Eye on Middle Eastern countries

Jordan: Parliamentary elections were conducted on September 10, 2024, to elect members of the House of Representatives.

Syria: On July 15, 2024, parliamentary elections took place in government-controlled regions. The ruling Baath party, led by President Bashar al-Assad, was expected to secure a majority of the seats.

Qatar: In November 2024, Qatar held a vote to end its limited legislative elections, passing a measure that concluded the electoral process for its Shura Council. The vote coincided with the U.S. presidential election, significantly overshadowing the event.

Egypt: Presidential elections were scheduled for December 2023.

Algeria, Iran, Mauritania, and Tunisia: These countries were expected to hold elections in 2024.

European Union key elections

In 2024, Europe witnessed a significant number of elections at various governmental levels, reflecting the continent's dynamic political landscape.

European Parliament Election:

June 6–9, 2024: The European Parliament elections were held across all EU member states, electing 720 members to the Tenth European Parliament.

National Elections:

Austria: September 29: Legislative elections were conducted to elect members of the National Council.

Belarus parliamentary election held on February 25.

Belgium: Federal and regional elections. October 13: Local elections.

Bosnia: October 6: Municipal elections.

Bulgaria: June 9: Parliamentary elections. October 27: Another round of parliamentary elections.

Croatia: April 17: Parliamentary elections. December 29: Presidential election.

Cyprus: June 9: Local elections.

Czech Republic: September 20–21: Regional elections and the first round of Senate elections.

Finland: January 28: First round of the presidential election.

France: June 30: First round of legislative elections. July 7: Second round of legislative elections.

Georgia: October 26: Parliamentary elections.

Germany: September 1: State elections in Saxony and Thuringia.

Hungary: February 26: Presidential election. June 9: Local elections, including Budapest mayoral and assembly elections.

Iceland: June 1: Presidential election. November 30: Parliamentary election.

Ireland: June 7: Local elections. November 29: General election.

Italy: June 8–9: First round of local elections.

Lithuania: May 12: First round of the presidential election.

Malta: June 8: Local elections.

Moldova: October 20: First round of the presidential election and an EU membership referendum.

Poland: April 7: First round of local elections.

Portugal: February 4: Azorean regional election.

Romania: June 9: Local elections.

Russia: March 15–17: Presidential election.

Spotlight on Africa

African countries Elections in 2024

Comoros - January 14: Presidential election.

Chad - May 6: Presidential election.

South Africa - May 29: General election.

Madagascar - May 29: Parliamentary election.

Mauritania - June 29: Presidential election.

Rwanda - July 15: General election.

Algeria - September 7: Presidential election.

Mozambique - October 9: General election.

Botswana - October 30: General election.

Somaliland - November 13: Presidential election.

Mauritius - November 10: General election.

Namibia - November 27: General election.

Senegal - November 17: Parliamentary election.

Ghana - December 7: General election (scheduled).

Elections in Latin American countries

In 2024, several Latin American countries held general elections, marking significant political developments across the region. Here's a list of these elections:

El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele was re-elected with 84% of the vote, continuing his administration's aggressive stance on gangs and efforts to rebrand the country.

Panama: General elections were held, with voters selecting a new president and other representatives.

Dominican Republic: President Luis Abinader, a popular incumbent, sought re-election during the general elections.

Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena party became the first woman elected as President in Mexican history.

Venezuela: President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the disputed presidential election, securing a third six-year term amid allegations of electoral fraud by the opposition.

Uruguay: General elections were held, with voters choosing a new president and other representatives.