Updated November 08, 2024 at 12:27 PM ET
Elections have consequences.
2024 is an extraordinary year of global elections. Half of the global population are voting in their elections. They include people in the world's three largest democratic countries — India, the United States and Indonesia — as well as across the European Union.
This great democratic exercise takes place at a time when concerns of democratic backsliding are on the rise, with technology turbocharging the process.
Throughout 2024, NPR's international correspondents are offering sound-rich storytelling and views from voters, thinkers and players. We have also been providing global perspectives to the U.S. presidential election.
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Here are some of the elections we have covered since January.
Bangladesh
Parliamentary, Jan. 7
Election campaigning in Bangladesh was marred by violence, a government crackdown on critics and opponents, and the proliferation of AI-generated disinformation. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote. Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League continued their rule. But after weeks of deadly protests, Hasina resigned on Aug. 5.
Related coverage
— Bangladesh PM flees the country after weeks of deadly protests
— Bangladesh's prime minister wins overwhelming majority as opposition boycotts vote
— Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces trouble in his homeland
Taiwan
Presidential, Jan. 13
Taiwan's presidential election in January was seen as a crucial race that would shape the future of Asian security. The pro-independence candidate from the Democratic Progress Party, William Lai, won the election and was sworn in on May 20. Three days later, Beijing launched "punishment" drills around Taiwan, in what it said was a response to "separatist acts."
Related coverage
— Taiwan's new president urges China to stop its military intimidation
— China launches military drills surrounding Taiwan
— Analysis: Taiwan's election was a vote for continuity, but adds uncertainty in ties with China
El Salvador
Presidential and legislative, Feb. 4
El Salvador's election was dominated by debate over the trade-off between security and democracy. Popular but authoritarian President Nayib Bukele surprised no one by claiming a landslide victory.
Related coverage
— El Salvador's popular but authoritarian president declares election victory
— The Sunday Story: The price of peace in El Salvador
— El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, receives a warm welcome at CPAC
Pakistan
Parliamentary, Feb. 8
Pakistan has been convulsed by a political crisis since its Parliament ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. Khan was jailed on corruption charges but continued to campaign for his party, including using an AI-generated voice to address supporters. Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister after securing the military's backing.
Related coverage
— Pakistan's new prime minister is also the country's old prime minister
— Many Pakistanis appear to defy crackdown on popular leader as they vote in elections
— The ultra-high-tech development in Pakistan's parliamentary election
Indonesia
Presidential and legislative, Feb. 14
Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population and ranks as one of the biggest democracies, but its politics are dominated by a small group of powerful elites. Prabowo Subianto, a former general who was once banned from entering the U.S., was elected as president.
Related coverage
— Election in Indonesia Presents a Challenge for the U.S.
— Ex-general Prabowo Subianto claims victory in Indonesia's presidential election
— 3 things you should know about Indonesia's presidential elections
Russia
Presidential, March 15-17
President Vladimir Putin won another six-year term in a stage-managed vote, during which other candidates did not even criticize him. True critics were barred from running. Despite a costly war in Ukraine, Putin retains widespread support in Russia, thanks in part to increased political repression that criminalizes criticism and opposition.
Related coverage
— After a quarter century in power, Russian President Putin isn't going anywhere
— Why Russia holds presidential elections even though Putin is all but assured a win
— Russian President Putin makes first trip since inauguration to critical ally China
Senegal
Presidential, March 24
One of Africa's most stable democracies gave the world a fright in February when the incumbent President Macky Sall made a last-minute decision to postpone the elections, triggering a constitutional crisis. But after mass protests and an international outcry, the elections eventually went ahead in March, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye was voted in to become the youngest democratically elected president in Africa at the age of 44.
Related coverage
— Little-known opposition leader in Senegal is named the next president
— Voters in Senegal finally go to the polls this weekend after several delays
— Senegal heads to the polls after delayed elections. Here's what you need to know
South Korea
Parliamentary, April 10
South Korea's parliamentary election was seen as a referendum on the conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon's personal scandals, antagonism toward political rivals and pursuit of closer relations with Japan have cost him popularity. The liberal opposition Democratic Party won a landslide victory in the National Assembly.
Related coverage
— South Korea's opposition wins in landslide parliamentary elections
— Elections reveal a growing gender divide across South Korea
— A luxury Dior handbag rattles South Korea's politics
India
Parliamentary, April 19 - June 1
Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won a third term leading the world's most populous country. The election results, however, were disappointing to Modi, who after a decade in power is facing critics inside and outside India over democratic backsliding, including his treatment of India's Muslim minority.
Related coverage
— Indian leader Narendra Modi was sworn in for 3rd term as prime minister
— What does the death of a jailed Jesuit priest say about India's democracy under Modi?
— India's elections have included a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric by Hindu nationalists
South Africa
Parliamentary, May 29
Amid economic woes and corruption scandals, South Africa's governing African, National Congress party, lost its majority for the first time since apartheid ended in 1994. Africa's oldest liberation movement must now share power in a coalition government in what was the biggest shake-up of the post-Nelson Mandela era.
Related coverage
— South Africa's African National Congress loses absolute majority for the first time
— Nelson Mandela's party could lose their absolute majority in South Africa
— South Africa’s ruling party faces its greatest challenge yet in upcoming elections
Mexico
Presidential and legislative, June 2
Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was overwhelmingly elected Mexico’s first female president, a historic milestone in a country rife with gender-based violence and misogyny.
Related coverage
— La Presidenta: Mexico Elects Its First Woman to the Presidency
— A trailblazing feminist says Mexico’s ‘triumph’ of a first female president is no surprise
— In Mexico's election, social programs could be a deciding factor for voters
European Parliament
Parliamentary, June 6-9
The far-right scored better than before across the European Union, but seems unable to form a parliamentary grouping that would give it real power. The three traditional centrist party alliances maintain their hold on power and are likely to accept the reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. Policy is expected to shift away from the previous emphasis on hitting ambitious target goals.
Related coverage
— Far-right gains in EU elections deal defeats to France's Macron and Germany's Scholz
— European parliamentary election results offer a glimpse into EU priorities
— Takeaways from the European parliamentary elections
Iran
Presidential, June 28 and July 5
On July 5, voters in Iran gave a decisive win to reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, in the runoff election to replace late President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in May. During his campaign, Pezeshkian promised to engage more with the outside world if elected. But analysts say his proposals are modest, showing no inclination to push for significant changes to a government that leaves all important matters of state to Supreme Leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei.
Related coverage
— Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran's presidential runoff
— Iran will hold a runoff election between a reformist and a hard-liner
— Here's what to know about Iran's presidential election
— Iran's president died in a helicopter crash. Who will replace him?
France
Legislative, June 30 and July 7
In June, French President Emmanuel Macron shocked the country, and even some of his own centrist party, by calling early legislative elections. In the first round on June 30, the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella came first. Then politicians and voters mobilized to block the National Rally. After a high voter turnout in the July 7 runoff, the far-right did not win the majority that polls had forecast. Instead, a left-wing coalition won the most seats in parliament, Macron's centrists came second and the National Rally came third. But no party won an absolute majority, leaving the final makeup of government uncertain.
Related coverage
— French left coalition comes out on top in elections, in shock upset over the far right
— Here are key takeaways from France's election round 1, where the far right prevails
— France's far right is gaining momentum for the first time since World War II
United Kingdom
Parliamentary, July 4
The center-left Labour Party won by a landslide — its first general election victory in 19 years, since under the leadership of Tony Blair. It was the worst defeat for the incumbent Conservatives in the party’s nearly 200-year history. Labour leader Keir Starmer takes over as U.K. prime minister from outgoing Conservative leader Rishi Sunak.
Related coverage
— Britain swings to the center-left in historic U.K. election landslide
— Who is Keir Starmer? A look at Britain's next prime minister
— State of the World podcast: Are British Politics Broken?
— Anger over the Gaza war fuels independent candidates in U.K. election
Venezuela
Presidential, July 28
Venezuela's presidential election on July 28 ended with both President Nicolás Maduro and the main opposition candidate, Edmundo González, declaring victory. The Maduro-backed National Electoral Council said the incumbent leader won, but the political opposition said it had evidence of vote tallies showing a decisive win by González. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the government believes the Venezuelan opposition was the clear winner.
Related coverage
— U.S. recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader as winner of contested election
— Venezuela's Maduro threatens reprisals as disputed election protests become deadly
— In Venezuela, the Maduro regime is making it difficult for many people to vote
United States
Presidential and legislative, Nov. 5
Former President Donald Trump won back the White House in a resounding defeat of Vice President Harris. The outcome caused jitters around the world, although some leaders who admire Trump were delighted. In Congress, the Republican Party flipped enough seats to control the Senate and could go on to retain control of the House of Representatives, although votes are still being counted and there are races that have not yet been called.
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