2024 will be a historic election year, when democracy will undergo a major test with elections in approximately 70 countries including the United States, India, Mexico and South Africa. More than 3.7 billion voters will head to the polls, and their results may have global impact and ramifications.

The current year will be the greatest year for democracy and democratic institutions worldwide. The greatest power in the world (the United States), the most-populous country (India), the biggest trading bloc (the European Union), the largest Muslim country (Indonesia), the largest Spanish-speaking country (Mexico) and the territory that is the most contentious one between the two superpowers of this century (Taiwan), all will hold elections in 2024.

A total of more than 3.7 billion inhabitants around 70 countries – or almost half of the global population – will head to cast their votes in either presidential or legislative elections in the coming year. The verdict of these polls may have profound consequences on the lives of people and on a world that is going through a turbulent time, with on-going brutal wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as the West seems falling into decline, with no clear alternative.

On a geopolitical level, this electoral jamboree might have a major impact. Major disruptive results include the return of Donald Trump to the White House, a third consecutive victory in Taiwan by candidates that Beijing considers hostile, or a consolidation of the extreme right in the European Union, all of which could lead to far-reaching consequences.

In addition to these, other elections to watch out for include the potential presidential elections in Venezuela to those in Ukraine, from Indonesia to South Africa and Mexico, besides the United Kingdom – where a substantial change of course would not be expected regardless of the outcome.

Test for Democracy

However, what might be the worrisome aspect of these elections is the litmus test which........

© Kashmir Images