Upcoming Elections in the News
Bangladesh Parliamentary – December 30, 2018
There has been violence leading up to Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections later this month. Two supporters of the ruling party were killed in clashes, and dozens have been injured. An opposition leader’s motorcade was allegedly attacked. The American NGO Human Rights Watch has noted numerous instances of the government cracking down on the opposition and independent voices, as well as politically-motivated violence and intimidation.
Thailand Parliamentary – February 24, 2019
South China Morning post reports: “The Thai military junta this week announced that the country’s long-awaited elections will be held on February 24, 2019 – but while the government has lifted a ban on political activity, political parties and analysts say the measures are not enough to ensure the process will be democratic.” The junta has recently proposed several liberal policy changes, including legalizing medical marijuana and same-sex marriage, in an effort to court voters.
Recent Elections in the News
India State Elections
The BBC reports: “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing BJP party appear to be facing a political setback, with major swings against it in three key state elections. The opposition Congress Party looks set to form governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while Madhya Pradesh heads for a photo-finish. Correspondents say a win for the depleted Congress in at least two states will see it regain credibility.” These results, coupled with two other BJP state election losses in recent months, increase the opposition Congress’s credibility as a challenger in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and put a BJP victory in doubt.
Other Regional News and Views
Cambodia
Voice of America reports: “Cambodia’s Parliament passed legislation Thursday that could allow a five-year ban on political activity by some top opposition politicians to be lifted.” However, the main opposition party remains dissolved and opposition leaders remain detained or in exile.
Japan
Professors Adam P. Liff and Ko Maeda explain why it is so difficult for Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party to change Japan’s constitution.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has announced that Malaysia will not hold local council elections, claiming such elections would provoke racial strife. However, opposition MPs and NGOs are pushing to institute local elections for reasons ranging from the general principles of democracy to the practical fact that elected local governments would be accountable to voters and thus more likely to deliver good local services.
Vasundhara Raje, chief minister of Rajasthan until this month’s elections. Raje was the first woman to hold the post. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Idea4u
21votes does not necessarily endorse all of the views in all of the linked articles.
Asia This Week – December 14, 2018
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Last Updated: December 28, 2018 by 21votes
Each day, 21votes gathers election and political news from a different region of the world. Fridays we explore Asia and the Pacific.
Bangladesh Parliamentary - December 30, 2018
There has been violence leading up to Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections later this month. Two supporters of the ruling party were killed in clashes, and dozens have been injured. An opposition leader’s motorcade was allegedly attacked. The American NGO Human Rights Watch has noted numerous instances of the government cracking down on the opposition and independent voices, as well as politically-motivated violence and intimidation.
Thailand Parliamentary - February 24, 2019
South China Morning post reports: “The Thai military junta this week announced that the country’s long-awaited elections will be held on February 24, 2019 – but while the government has lifted a ban on political activity, political parties and analysts say the measures are not enough to ensure the process will be democratic.” The junta has recently proposed several liberal policy changes, including legalizing medical marijuana and same-sex marriage, in an effort to court voters.
India State Elections
The BBC reports: “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing BJP party appear to be facing a political setback, with major swings against it in three key state elections. The opposition Congress Party looks set to form governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while Madhya Pradesh heads for a photo-finish. Correspondents say a win for the depleted Congress in at least two states will see it regain credibility.” These results, coupled with two other BJP state election losses in recent months, increase the opposition Congress’s credibility as a challenger in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and put a BJP victory in doubt.
Cambodia
Voice of America reports: “Cambodia’s Parliament passed legislation Thursday that could allow a five-year ban on political activity by some top opposition politicians to be lifted.” However, the main opposition party remains dissolved and opposition leaders remain detained or in exile.
Japan
Professors Adam P. Liff and Ko Maeda explain why it is so difficult for Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party to change Japan’s constitution.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has announced that Malaysia will not hold local council elections, claiming such elections would provoke racial strife. However, opposition MPs and NGOs are pushing to institute local elections for reasons ranging from the general principles of democracy to the practical fact that elected local governments would be accountable to voters and thus more likely to deliver good local services.
Upcoming Elections in the News
Bangladesh Parliamentary – December 30, 2018
There has been violence leading up to Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections later this month. Two supporters of the ruling party were killed in clashes, and dozens have been injured. An opposition leader’s motorcade was allegedly attacked. The American NGO Human Rights Watch has noted numerous instances of the government cracking down on the opposition and independent voices, as well as politically-motivated violence and intimidation.
Thailand Parliamentary – February 24, 2019
South China Morning post reports: “The Thai military junta this week announced that the country’s long-awaited elections will be held on February 24, 2019 – but while the government has lifted a ban on political activity, political parties and analysts say the measures are not enough to ensure the process will be democratic.” The junta has recently proposed several liberal policy changes, including legalizing medical marijuana and same-sex marriage, in an effort to court voters.
Recent Elections in the News
India State Elections
The BBC reports: “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing BJP party appear to be facing a political setback, with major swings against it in three key state elections. The opposition Congress Party looks set to form governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while Madhya Pradesh heads for a photo-finish. Correspondents say a win for the depleted Congress in at least two states will see it regain credibility.” These results, coupled with two other BJP state election losses in recent months, increase the opposition Congress’s credibility as a challenger in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and put a BJP victory in doubt.
Other Regional News and Views
Cambodia
Voice of America reports: “Cambodia’s Parliament passed legislation Thursday that could allow a five-year ban on political activity by some top opposition politicians to be lifted.” However, the main opposition party remains dissolved and opposition leaders remain detained or in exile.
Japan
Professors Adam P. Liff and Ko Maeda explain why it is so difficult for Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party to change Japan’s constitution.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has announced that Malaysia will not hold local council elections, claiming such elections would provoke racial strife. However, opposition MPs and NGOs are pushing to institute local elections for reasons ranging from the general principles of democracy to the practical fact that elected local governments would be accountable to voters and thus more likely to deliver good local services.
Vasundhara Raje, chief minister of Rajasthan until this month’s elections. Raje was the first woman to hold the post. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Idea4u
21votes does not necessarily endorse all of the views in all of the linked articles.
Category: This Week Tags: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand