- Bangladesh
In January, the country held its parliamentary elections. But it lost much of its credibility because of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a few other opposition parties boycotting the whole process.
- Afghanistan
In April, the country held its presidential election to choose a leader to replace Hamid Karzai. But so far neither of the two frontrunners have managed to secure over 50 per cent of the votes to avoid a second round of polls.
- South Africa
The National Assembly elections —the process which began in April and is scheduled to end in June—is important because it in turn will elect the country’s next president, perhaps later in the year
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- European Union
Election to the European Union Parliament is scheduled for later this month. With countries still reeling under the impact of an economic crisis, rise of nationalist leaders and populist parties are on the cards.
- Indonesia
Parliamentary elections to the world’s largest Islamic country were held in April to prepare for the presidential elections, due in July this year
- United States
The United States’ congressional election is due in November. The Democrats need to win 18 seats to have a clear majority in Congress—a feat not achieved by any US president in his second term in the last 100 years