September 20, 2024

A weekly review of key news and analysis of elections in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, usually posted on Fridays and occasionally updated throughout the week.

A traditional lion statue at the University of Peradeniya in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Anuradha Ratnaweera (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Ongoing Asia/Pacific Elections

India, Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir: September 18-October 1, 2024

Reuters (September 17, 2024): In India’s Kashmir, former separatists take struggle to the ballot box

Auqib Javeed and Zoya Mateen, BBC (September 16, 2024): After a decade, Kashmir to vote in historic elections

National General Elections: April 19-June 1, 2024

Carnegie Endowment (September 18, 2024 – podcast): What Really Happened in India’s 2024 General Election?

Reuters (September 18, 2024): India’s cabinet accepts recommendation to hold simultaneous national, state elections

Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections

Sri Lanka Presidential Election: September 21, 2024

Dan Strumpf, Bloomberg (September 19, 2024): A Deepening US-China Rivalry Hangs Over Sri Lanka’s Election

Reuters (September 19, 2024): Who are the five key candidates in Sri Lanka’s presidential election?

Reuters (September 19, 2024): What are the five key issues in Sri Lanka’s presidential election?

Samira Hussain, BBC (September 17, 2024): Still reeling from crisis, Sri Lanka holds pivotal election

Chatham House (September 17, 2024): Austerity measures are on trial in Sri Lanka’s first election since its economic collapse

Rathindra Kuruwita, The Diplomat (September 17, 2024): India’s Strategic Stakes in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election

Ayeshea Perera and BBC Sinhala Service, BBC (September 16, 2024): Chased out by protesters, a political dynasty plots its comeback

Japan, LDP Leadership Election: September 27, 2024 (general elections due in 2025 but could be called earlier)

AFP (September 18, 2024): Japan To Formally Elect New Prime Minister On October 1

Koya Jibiki, Nikkei Asia (September 17, 2024): Japan’s next prime minister: Old guard, young blood or first woman? 9 candidates line up to lead LDP, which has ruled country for 65 of last 69 years

Kyodo (September 14, 2024): Japan PM candidates eye ties with friendly nations as China rises

Indonesia Regional Elections: November 27, 2024

Lowy Institute (September 19, 2024): Indonesia: Jokowi’s real legacy is an unpredictable successor

Bangladesh Snap Elections: Forthcoming

Julhas Alam, AP (September 17, 2024): Bangladesh opposition party demands a new election after Hasina’s ouster

The Diplomat (September 16, 2024): Islamist Parties Gaining Ground in Bangladesh Amid Post-Hasina Political Vacuum

Past Asia/Pacific Elections

Kiribati General Elections: August 14, 2024 (second round August 19, 2024)

Sophie Mak, Nikkei Asia (September 19, 2024): China-friendly Kiribati president aims for third and final term

Elections On Deck