Past Elections
India Parliamentary – April/May 2019
The biggest election in the history of the world has concluded
BBC: “Narendra Modi sworn in for second term after election landslide”
Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic: “The Gandhi Dynasty Helped Found India. It Is Now in Demise. The Congress Party’s humiliating loss in parliamentary elections might mean an end for a family that has dominated national politics since the 19th century.”
Tariq Thachil, Washington Post’s Monkey Cage: “India’s election results were more than a ‘Modi wave’”
Mohammed Ayoob, The National Interest: “India’s Narendra Modi Used National Security as His Election Crux”
Voice of America: “In recent weeks, Australia and India have re-elected incumbent prime ministers. These Asia-Pacific countries, who have a difficult relationship with China, are unlikely to make the kind of policy changes that Beijing has been seeking for a long time, analysts said.”
Anath Krishnan, ThePrint: “India has made its opposition on China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative well-known, and was the only major country to boycott both the first and second Belt and Road Forum summits in Beijing. Modi deserves credit for taking a strong stand on the Belt and Road Initiative— in light of China’s projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — despite widespread warnings of India’s impending isolation.”
Philippines Legislative and Local – May 13, 2019
Francis Isaac, Rappler: “Two things are immediately apparent from the Philippines’ latest batch of senators-elect: (1) that none of them came from the opposition; and (2) that those who won were either close associates of President Rodrigo Duterte or were already well-established names in Philippine politics.”
Richard Heydarian, South China Morning Post: “With his power assured, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can fully consummate his pivot to China, shrugging off opposition criticism….Duterte’s improved position at home is music to China’s ears, considering the anti-Beijing electoral shocks that Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have sustained in recent years.”
Indonesia Presidential, Parliamentary, Regional – April 17, 2019
Analyzing the results of the single biggest day of voting in the history of the world. Incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi), widely seen as a reformer, defeated challenged Prabowo Subianto in an election deemed free and fair by the international community. However, Prabowo didn’t accept the results, and in addition to challenging them in court, he urged his supporters to take to the streets.
Human Rights Watch: “The Indonesian government should ensure a prompt, effective, and independent investigation into the Jakarta violence on May 21-23, 2019, in which more than 700 protesters were wounded and 8 killed….”
Tim Lindsey, The Conversation: “Jakarta riots reveal Indonesia’s deep divisions on religion and politics”
Erin Cook, The Diplomat: “After the Riots: Indonesia’s Post-Election Future. As the dust settles following the events of the past week, a closer look at some of the key aspects that will shape the country’s future.”
Associated Press: “S&P upgrades Indonesia credit after Widodo election win”
Japan Local – April 7 and 21, 2019
The Economist: “Local elections in Japan are running out of candidates and voters. As the population ages and shrinks, people do not see the point”
Maldives Parliamentary – April 6, 2019
Island nation usually associated with honeymoons and oligarchs that had a remarkable transition to democracy in 2008, followed by several setbacks, delivered a clear win for pro-democracy forces in recent presidential and parliamentary elections.
Associated Press: “The Maldives’ parliament has overwhelmingly voted the country’s first democratically elected president as the speaker of the house.”
Thailand Parliamentary – March 24, 2019
Bloomberg: “As discussions over the formation of a coalition continue — months after the March 24 poll — it’s looking more likely that pro-military alliance led by Palang Pracharath could lead the next government. But there are fears an unruly and unstable coalition may struggle to survive, sparking fresh violence following the longest period of military rule in modern Thai history.”
Al Jazeera: “Thailand’s Thanathorn unfazed despite series of legal challenges: Speaking to Al Jazeera, Future Forward Party leader says the government raises threat of legal action to pressure him.”
Bangkok Post: “The [Future Forward Party], despite being a newcomer, caused a political phenomenon when it grabbed a sizeable 6.3 million popular votes that landed 80 members in parliament. The party has become a beacon of hope for the new generation, who are fed up with old, polarised politics.”
Asia This Week – May 31, 2019
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Last Updated: June 11, 2019 by 21votes
May 31, 2019
Each day, 21votes gathers election and political news from a different region of the world. We explore Asia and the Pacific on Fridays. Click the map pins.
India Parliamentary - April/May 2019
The biggest election in the history of the world has concluded
BBC: “Narendra Modi sworn in for second term after election landslide”
Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic: “The Gandhi Dynasty Helped Found India. It Is Now in Demise. The Congress Party’s humiliating loss in parliamentary elections might mean an end for a family that has dominated national politics since the 19th century.”
Tariq Thachil, Washington Post’s Monkey Cage: “India’s election results were more than a ‘Modi wave’”
Mohammed Ayoob, The National Interest: “India’s Narendra Modi Used National Security as His Election Crux”
Voice of America: “In recent weeks, Australia and India have re-elected incumbent prime ministers. These Asia-Pacific countries, who have a difficult relationship with China, are unlikely to make the kind of policy changes that Beijing has been seeking for a long time, analysts said.”
Anath Krishnan, ThePrint: “India has made its opposition on China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative well-known, and was the only major country to boycott both the first and second Belt and Road Forum summits in Beijing. Modi deserves credit for taking a strong stand on the Belt and Road Initiative— in light of China’s projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — despite widespread warnings of India’s impending isolation.”
Philippines Legislative and Local - May 13, 2019
Francis Isaac, Rappler: “Two things are immediately apparent from the Philippines’ latest batch of senators-elect: (1) that none of them came from the opposition; and (2) that those who won were either close associates of President Rodrigo Duterte or were already well-established names in Philippine politics.”
Richard Heydarian, South China Morning Post: “With his power assured, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can fully consummate his pivot to China, shrugging off opposition criticism….Duterte’s improved position at home is music to China’s ears, considering the anti-Beijing electoral shocks that Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have sustained in recent years.”
Indonesia Presidential, Parliamentary, Regional - April 17, 2019
Analyzing the results of the single biggest day of voting in the history of the world. Incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi), widely seen as a reformer, defeated challenged Prabowo Subianto in an election deemed free and fair by the international community. However, Prabowo didn’t accept the results, and in addition to challenging them in court, he urged his supporters to take to the streets.
Human Rights Watch: “The Indonesian government should ensure a prompt, effective, and independent investigation into the Jakarta violence on May 21-23, 2019, in which more than 700 protesters were wounded and 8 killed….”
Tim Lindsey, The Conversation: “Jakarta riots reveal Indonesia’s deep divisions on religion and politics”
Erin Cook, The Diplomat: “After the Riots: Indonesia’s Post-Election Future. As the dust settles following the events of the past week, a closer look at some of the key aspects that will shape the country’s future.”
Associated Press: “S&P upgrades Indonesia credit after Widodo election win”
Japan Local - April 7 and 21, 2019
The Economist: “Local elections in Japan are running out of candidates and voters. As the population ages and shrinks, people do not see the point”
Maldives Parliamentary - April 6, 2019
Island nation usually associated with honeymoons and oligarchs that had a remarkable transition to democracy in 2008, followed by several setbacks, delivered a clear win for pro-democracy forces in recent presidential and parliamentary elections.
Associated Press: “The Maldives’ parliament has overwhelmingly voted the country’s first democratically elected president as the speaker of the house.”
Thailand Parliamentary - March 24, 2019
Bloomberg: “As discussions over the formation of a coalition continue — months after the March 24 poll — it’s looking more likely that pro-military alliance led by Palang Pracharath could lead the next government. But there are fears an unruly and unstable coalition may struggle to survive, sparking fresh violence following the longest period of military rule in modern Thai history.”
Al Jazeera: “Thailand’s Thanathorn unfazed despite series of legal challenges: Speaking to Al Jazeera, Future Forward Party leader says the government raises threat of legal action to pressure him.”
Bangkok Post: “The [Future Forward Party], despite being a newcomer, caused a political phenomenon when it grabbed a sizeable 6.3 million popular votes that landed 80 members in parliament. The party has become a beacon of hope for the new generation, who are fed up with old, polarised politics.”
Past Elections
India Parliamentary – April/May 2019
The biggest election in the history of the world has concluded
BBC: “Narendra Modi sworn in for second term after election landslide”
Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic: “The Gandhi Dynasty Helped Found India. It Is Now in Demise. The Congress Party’s humiliating loss in parliamentary elections might mean an end for a family that has dominated national politics since the 19th century.”
Tariq Thachil, Washington Post’s Monkey Cage: “India’s election results were more than a ‘Modi wave’”
Mohammed Ayoob, The National Interest: “India’s Narendra Modi Used National Security as His Election Crux”
Voice of America: “In recent weeks, Australia and India have re-elected incumbent prime ministers. These Asia-Pacific countries, who have a difficult relationship with China, are unlikely to make the kind of policy changes that Beijing has been seeking for a long time, analysts said.”
Anath Krishnan, ThePrint: “India has made its opposition on China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative well-known, and was the only major country to boycott both the first and second Belt and Road Forum summits in Beijing. Modi deserves credit for taking a strong stand on the Belt and Road Initiative— in light of China’s projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — despite widespread warnings of India’s impending isolation.”
Philippines Legislative and Local – May 13, 2019
Francis Isaac, Rappler: “Two things are immediately apparent from the Philippines’ latest batch of senators-elect: (1) that none of them came from the opposition; and (2) that those who won were either close associates of President Rodrigo Duterte or were already well-established names in Philippine politics.”
Richard Heydarian, South China Morning Post: “With his power assured, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can fully consummate his pivot to China, shrugging off opposition criticism….Duterte’s improved position at home is music to China’s ears, considering the anti-Beijing electoral shocks that Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have sustained in recent years.”
Indonesia Presidential, Parliamentary, Regional – April 17, 2019
Analyzing the results of the single biggest day of voting in the history of the world. Incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi), widely seen as a reformer, defeated challenged Prabowo Subianto in an election deemed free and fair by the international community. However, Prabowo didn’t accept the results, and in addition to challenging them in court, he urged his supporters to take to the streets.
Human Rights Watch: “The Indonesian government should ensure a prompt, effective, and independent investigation into the Jakarta violence on May 21-23, 2019, in which more than 700 protesters were wounded and 8 killed….”
Tim Lindsey, The Conversation: “Jakarta riots reveal Indonesia’s deep divisions on religion and politics”
Erin Cook, The Diplomat: “After the Riots: Indonesia’s Post-Election Future. As the dust settles following the events of the past week, a closer look at some of the key aspects that will shape the country’s future.”
Associated Press: “S&P upgrades Indonesia credit after Widodo election win”
Japan Local – April 7 and 21, 2019
The Economist: “Local elections in Japan are running out of candidates and voters. As the population ages and shrinks, people do not see the point”
Maldives Parliamentary – April 6, 2019
Island nation usually associated with honeymoons and oligarchs that had a remarkable transition to democracy in 2008, followed by several setbacks, delivered a clear win for pro-democracy forces in recent presidential and parliamentary elections.
Associated Press: “The Maldives’ parliament has overwhelmingly voted the country’s first democratically elected president as the speaker of the house.”
Thailand Parliamentary – March 24, 2019
Bloomberg: “As discussions over the formation of a coalition continue — months after the March 24 poll — it’s looking more likely that pro-military alliance led by Palang Pracharath could lead the next government. But there are fears an unruly and unstable coalition may struggle to survive, sparking fresh violence following the longest period of military rule in modern Thai history.”
Al Jazeera: “Thailand’s Thanathorn unfazed despite series of legal challenges: Speaking to Al Jazeera, Future Forward Party leader says the government raises threat of legal action to pressure him.”
Bangkok Post: “The [Future Forward Party], despite being a newcomer, caused a political phenomenon when it grabbed a sizeable 6.3 million popular votes that landed 80 members in parliament. The party has become a beacon of hope for the new generation, who are fed up with old, polarised politics.”
The Year Ahead: Asia
Japan, provincial elections throughout the year; Bangladesh fifth and final phase of district council elections (June 18); Japan legislative – half of upper house (July – snap lower house elections possible); Nauru legislative (July); India, Maharashtra state (September); Tuvalu parliamentary (September); New Zealand local (October 12); Hong Kong local (November); Marshall Islands legislative (November); Kiribati legislative (December); Sri Lanka presidential (December 7); Taiwan presidential and legislative (January 11); Kiribati presidential (March); South Korea parliamentary (April 15); Niue parliamentary (May); Mongolia parliamentary (June).
Joko (“Jokowi”) Widodo won re-election. Photo credit: Government of Indonesia (public domain)
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Category: This Week Tags: India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Philippines, Thailand