2024 Indo-Pacific Elections
Dubbed ‘the year of elections’, nearly half of the world’s population will be eligible to vote in an election in 2024, with over 4 billion voters across more than 40 countries set to cast their ballots.
The Indo-Pacific is home to some of the most significant and influential of these elections: India, Indonesia, Taiwan and, of course, the United States. In the Indo-Pacific alone, hundreds of millions of people will shape the political future of the region.
This will be a testing year for democracy, for political will, and for regional stability, as voters determine the next few years of political rule.
For curated election news and analyses, see our updates below.
2024 Indo-Pacific Elections
United States of America – January to 5 November 2024
The United States of America Elections
Last updated: 4 April 2024
The outcome of the upcoming U.S. election has the power to greatly influence affairs not only domestically, but particularly within the Indo-Pacific. The complexities of America’s system make the election process difficult for outsiders to decipher and coherently understand. The Perth USAsia Centre is seeking to provide concise explanations of key dates, terms and timelines as the election progresses.
Resources on The U.S. election
The US Election – One Year Out
The US Election – One Year Out
The Perth USAsia Centre was pleased to host a roundtable discussion with Chris Socha, Staff Director at the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Explore2020 U.S. Election: Impacts on the Indo-Pacific
2020 U.S. Election: Impacts on the Indo-Pacific
ExploreIndia – 19 April to 1 June 2024
Voting underway in monumental Indian election
Last updated: 23 April 2024
The largest democratic election in history is underway in India with 969 million voters set to cast their ballots over 44 days.
Polls suggest an easy victory for Prime Minister Modi, with the opposition fragmented by arrests amid alleged cases of politically-motivated corruption.
Analysis: India prides itself on the scale of its elections — even the most remote voter can cast their ballot. But Modi’s grip on power raises concerns about democratic integrity.
South Korea – 10 April
Opposition wins landslide victory in South Korean general election
Last updated: 23 April 2024
South Korean’s Democratic Party has won 175 of 300 seats to defeat the President’s People Power Party in the country’s general election.
The result is a decisive blow to President Yoon’s administration, which has been dwindling in popularity due to the cost of living crisis and a string of political scandals.
Analysis: This election, which saw record voter turn-out of nearly 70 per cent, was a political litmus test for Yoon. He will likely struggle to pass legislation, and will be the first president to complete his term without ever holding a majority.
Indonesia – 14 February 2024
Prabowo visits China, Japan and Malaysia
Last updated: 23 April 2024
Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto has travelled to China, Japan and Malaysia, ahead of his inauguration in October.
No other Indonesian president-elect is known to have conducted foreign visits before assuming office.
Analysis: It is too early to draw conclusions about his foreign policy direction based on these visits. But Prabowo’s early travel indicates he will take a proactive approach to foreign policy.
Resources on Indonesia’s election
Pakistan – 8 February 2024
Pakistan’s election leaves weak, unpopular coalition in power
Last updated: 19 February 2024
After failing to win a majority, the army-backed Muslim League-Nawaz will join with the Pakistan People’s Party to form government.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, won the most seats – though still a minority – even after Khan’s sentencing, military intervention on polling day, and the suspension of mobile services to keep voter turnout low.
Analysis: Marred by Islamic State bombings, allegations of voting rigging, and the opposition’s popularity, the outcome of this election is unlikely to guarantee the political stability Pakistan needs.
Taiwan – 13 January 2024
Ruling party’s Lai Ching-te wins Taiwanese presidency
Last updated: 1 February 2024
Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te has won the Taiwanese Presidential election – held on 13 January – but failed to secure a parliament majority.
The DPP has promised to maintain Taiwanese autonomy and the cross-Strait status quo with China.
Beijing says the DPP doesn’t represent ‘mainstream public opinion.’
Analysis: Taiwan’s election showed resilience in the face of unprecedented interference from Beijing. But the results show the DPP cannot afford complacency in the face of domestic economic concerns.
Bhutan – 9 January 2024
Bhutan elects former PM Tshering Tobgay
Last updated: 1 February 2024
Former People’s Democratic Party Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will return to power after his party won 30 of Bhutan’s 47 national assembly seats in the country’s January 9 election.
This is Bhutan’s fourth democratic election following its transition from a monarchy just 15 years ago.
Analysis: Bhutan’s election is refreshing for South Asia, especially given the controversies in Bangladesh. But the new government has to tackle a struggling post-pandemic economy and mass youth migration.
Bangladesh – 7 January 2024
Hasina wins fifth term in controversial Bangladesh election
Last updated: 1 February 2024
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has claimed 222 of 300 parliamentary seats after the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the vote.
A government crackdown on BNP members saw thousands imprisoned before the vote.
Election authorities have reported voter turnout at just 40 per cent, but the real figure is likely to be less.
Analysis: The international community, including Australia, has expressed concern about the election. But India, which is worried about Chinese influence, will likely welcome the continuity in Dhaka’s foreign policy.
