September 9, 2022
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.
Eretoka Island, Vanuatu. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Phillip Capper (CC BY 2.0)
Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections
Japan, Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa: September 11, 2022
Jiji (September 9, 2022): Okinawa governor race lacks steam as U.S. base issue fades
Gearoid Reidy, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Japan’s Play-It-Safe Prime Minister Is Living Dangerously
Vanuatu Snap Elections: October 13, 2022
Vanuatu is holding snap elections on October 13, 2022 – two years early.
ABC News Australia (September 9, 2022): Vanuatu to have snap election after opposition’s Supreme Court challenge dismissed
Nepal General and Provincial Elections: November 20, 2022
Anil Giri, Kathmandu Post (September 9, 2022): Many sides to Nepal visit of China’s top legislator: The Chinese appear interested in strengthening ties with Nepali MPs following the passage of the MCC compact.
Rishi Gupta, National Interest (September 4, 2022): Can China Make Inroads With Nepal Again? Securing Tibet’s loose ends in Nepal is increasingly complicated for China.
Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022
Hsia Hsiao-hwa and Chen Meihua, Radio Free Asia (September 6, 2022): Candidates in Taiwan’s local elections could pledge to defend the democratic island: Calls grow for would-be municipal, regional and village councilors to sign a pledge of ‘no surrender’ to China.
Fiji General Elections: November 2022 (due)
Sadhana Sen and Stephen Howes, The Guardian (September 5, 2022): Coup leader v coup leader: strongman election shows cracks in Fiji’s democracy
India, State Elections in Himachal Pradesh: November 2022 (due)
Voice of America (September 9, 2022): India’s Congress Party Leader, Rahul Gandhi, Leads Long March to Revive Support
Bibhudatta Pradhan, Bloomberg (September 7, 2022): Congress Party to March For Months, Battling Modi’s Popularity
Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)
Ken Mathis Lohatepanont, Allen Hicken and Joel Selway, Washington Post (September 9, 2022): Has time run out for Thailand’s prime minister? Prayuth helped engineer a new constitution. Its term limits now complicate his political future.
Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Thai Parliament Rejects Bid to Strip Senate of Powers to Pick PM
Malaysia General Elections and State Elections: May 2023 (due – general elections likely to be called earlier)
William Case, East Asia Forum (September 7, 2022): Malaysia’s institutional uncertainty
Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat (September 6, 2022): Imprisoned Former Malaysian PM Files Request for Royal Pardon: Najib Razak’s campaign for a royal pardon will provide a compelling political B-plot in the run-up to the country’s next general election.
Straits Times (September 4, 2022): Eyeing PM post by 2050, Malaysia’s PAS to focus on bagging 40 seats in general election
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: December 2023 (due)
Tahmina Rahman, Carnegie Endowment (September 6, 2022): From Revolutionaries to Visionless Parties: Leftist Politics in Bangladesh
Solomon Islands General Elections: April 2024 (delayed)
Michael E. Miller, Washington Post (September 8, 2022): Solomon Islands’ pro-China leader wins bid to delay elections
Patricia O’Brien, The Diplomat (September 8, 2022): The Domestic Politics of Sogavare’s China-Solomons Tryst: The prime minister’s latest moves clarify his ultimate objective: augmenting and retaining power, which also stands to benefit Beijing.
Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson, United States Institute of Peace (September 7, 2022): Solomon Islands: Election Delay Would Threaten Peace and Democracy: Prime Minister Sogavare may crack down on protests — with China’s help.
Ben Westcott, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Solomons Accuses Australia of Influencing MPs Over Elections
DW (September 6, 2022): Solomon Islands rejects Australian offer to pay for election
Past Asia/Pacific Elections
Papua New Guinea General Elections: July 4-22, 2022
Patrick Kaiku, Trisha Yangawi, Bernard Yegiora, Lowy Institute (September 8, 2022): The missing foreign policy debate in PNG’s 2022 elections
Ronald May, East Asia Forum (September 7, 2022): Marape returns for another term
Mongolia Presidential Election: June 9, 2021
Mongolia, a free though imperfect democracy, held its presidential election on June 9, 2021, following parliamentary elections in June 2020 and local elections in October 2020. Former PM Ukhnaa Khurelsukh won in a landslide, further consolidating the power of the Mongolian People’s Party (which was the ruling party during the communist era). MPP also has a majority in the legislature.
It was a nasty campaign in a polarized environment. Incumbent Khaltmaagiin Battulga from the center-right Democratic Party was not able to seek another term following a controversial rule change pushed by MPP. Now that MPP has both the presidency and the legislature, there are concerns about democratic backsliding.
Amar Adiya, The Diplomat (September 7, 2022): Mongolia Unveils New Pro-Business Cabinet: The quick Cabinet reshuffle is intended to strengthen PM Oyun-Erdene’s position and give him legislative support to push his liberalization and privatization agenda forward.
Regional Analysis
Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations (September 9, 2022): Why Democracy in Southeast Asia Will Worsen in 2023
Asia/Pacific Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023
Japan, Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa: September 11, 2022
Nauru Parliamentary Elections: September 24, 2022
New Zealand Local Elections: October 8, 2022
Vanuatu Snap Elections: October 13, 2022
Australia, Tasmania Local Elections: October 25, 2022
Timor-Leste Local Elections: October 2022 (due)
Fiji Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)
Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022
India, State Elections in Himachal Pradesh: November 2022 (due)
Australia, South Australia Local Elections; November 11, 2022
Australia, Victoria State Elections: November 26, 2022
India, State Elections in Gujarat: December 2022 (due)
India, State Elections in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland: February 2023 (due)
Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)
Australia, New South Wales State Elections: March 25, 2023
Micronesia Parliamentary Elections: March 7, 2023
Malaysia General Elections and State Elections: May 2023 (due – general elections likely to be called earlier)
India, State Elections in Karnataka: May 2023 (due)
Cambodia Parliamentary Elections: July 30, 2023 (due)
Burma Parliamentary Elections: By August 2023 (proposed – tentative, post-coup)
Maldives Presidential Election: September 2023 (due)
Tuvalu General Elections: September 2023 (due)
Singapore Presidential Election: September 2023 (expected – largely ceremonial role)
New Zealand General Elections: October 2023 (expected – due by January 2024)
Bhutan Parliamentary Elections: October 2023 (due)
India, State Elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram: November 2023 (due)
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: December 2023 (due)
India, State Elections in Rajasthan and Telangana: December 2023 (due)
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
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Asia This Week: September 9, 2022
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Last Updated: October 3, 2022 by 21votes
September 9, 2022
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.
Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections
Japan, Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa: September 11, 2022
Jiji (September 9, 2022): Okinawa governor race lacks steam as U.S. base issue fades
Gearoid Reidy, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Japan’s Play-It-Safe Prime Minister Is Living Dangerously
Vanuatu Snap Elections: October 13, 2022
Vanuatu is holding snap elections on October 13, 2022 – two years early.
ABC News Australia (September 9, 2022): Vanuatu to have snap election after opposition’s Supreme Court challenge dismissed
Nepal General and Provincial Elections: November 20, 2022
Anil Giri, Kathmandu Post (September 9, 2022): Many sides to Nepal visit of China’s top legislator: The Chinese appear interested in strengthening ties with Nepali MPs following the passage of the MCC compact.
Rishi Gupta, National Interest (September 4, 2022): Can China Make Inroads With Nepal Again? Securing Tibet’s loose ends in Nepal is increasingly complicated for China.
Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022
Hsia Hsiao-hwa and Chen Meihua, Radio Free Asia (September 6, 2022): Candidates in Taiwan’s local elections could pledge to defend the democratic island: Calls grow for would-be municipal, regional and village councilors to sign a pledge of ‘no surrender’ to China.
Fiji General Elections: November 2022 (due)
Sadhana Sen and Stephen Howes, The Guardian (September 5, 2022): Coup leader v coup leader: strongman election shows cracks in Fiji’s democracy
India, State Elections in Himachal Pradesh: November 2022 (due)
Voice of America (September 9, 2022): India’s Congress Party Leader, Rahul Gandhi, Leads Long March to Revive Support
Bibhudatta Pradhan, Bloomberg (September 7, 2022): Congress Party to March For Months, Battling Modi’s Popularity
Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)
Ken Mathis Lohatepanont, Allen Hicken and Joel Selway, Washington Post (September 9, 2022): Has time run out for Thailand’s prime minister? Prayuth helped engineer a new constitution. Its term limits now complicate his political future.
Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Thai Parliament Rejects Bid to Strip Senate of Powers to Pick PM
Malaysia General Elections and State Elections: May 2023 (due – general elections likely to be called earlier)
William Case, East Asia Forum (September 7, 2022): Malaysia’s institutional uncertainty
Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat (September 6, 2022): Imprisoned Former Malaysian PM Files Request for Royal Pardon: Najib Razak’s campaign for a royal pardon will provide a compelling political B-plot in the run-up to the country’s next general election.
Straits Times (September 4, 2022): Eyeing PM post by 2050, Malaysia’s PAS to focus on bagging 40 seats in general election
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: December 2023 (due)
Tahmina Rahman, Carnegie Endowment (September 6, 2022): From Revolutionaries to Visionless Parties: Leftist Politics in Bangladesh
Solomon Islands General Elections: April 2024 (delayed)
Michael E. Miller, Washington Post (September 8, 2022): Solomon Islands’ pro-China leader wins bid to delay elections
Patricia O’Brien, The Diplomat (September 8, 2022): The Domestic Politics of Sogavare’s China-Solomons Tryst: The prime minister’s latest moves clarify his ultimate objective: augmenting and retaining power, which also stands to benefit Beijing.
Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson, United States Institute of Peace (September 7, 2022): Solomon Islands: Election Delay Would Threaten Peace and Democracy: Prime Minister Sogavare may crack down on protests — with China’s help.
Ben Westcott, Bloomberg (September 6, 2022): Solomons Accuses Australia of Influencing MPs Over Elections
DW (September 6, 2022): Solomon Islands rejects Australian offer to pay for election
Past Asia/Pacific Elections
Papua New Guinea General Elections: July 4-22, 2022
Patrick Kaiku, Trisha Yangawi, Bernard Yegiora, Lowy Institute (September 8, 2022): The missing foreign policy debate in PNG’s 2022 elections
Ronald May, East Asia Forum (September 7, 2022): Marape returns for another term
Mongolia Presidential Election: June 9, 2021
Mongolia, a free though imperfect democracy, held its presidential election on June 9, 2021, following parliamentary elections in June 2020 and local elections in October 2020. Former PM Ukhnaa Khurelsukh won in a landslide, further consolidating the power of the Mongolian People’s Party (which was the ruling party during the communist era). MPP also has a majority in the legislature.
It was a nasty campaign in a polarized environment. Incumbent Khaltmaagiin Battulga from the center-right Democratic Party was not able to seek another term following a controversial rule change pushed by MPP. Now that MPP has both the presidency and the legislature, there are concerns about democratic backsliding.
Amar Adiya, The Diplomat (September 7, 2022): Mongolia Unveils New Pro-Business Cabinet: The quick Cabinet reshuffle is intended to strengthen PM Oyun-Erdene’s position and give him legislative support to push his liberalization and privatization agenda forward.
Regional Analysis
Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations (September 9, 2022): Why Democracy in Southeast Asia Will Worsen in 2023
Asia/Pacific Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023
Japan, Gubernatorial Election in Okinawa: September 11, 2022
Nauru Parliamentary Elections: September 24, 2022
New Zealand Local Elections: October 8, 2022
Vanuatu Snap Elections: October 13, 2022
Australia, Tasmania Local Elections: October 25, 2022
Timor-Leste Local Elections: October 2022 (due)
Fiji Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)
Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022
India, State Elections in Himachal Pradesh: November 2022 (due)
Australia, South Australia Local Elections; November 11, 2022
Australia, Victoria State Elections: November 26, 2022
India, State Elections in Gujarat: December 2022 (due)
India, State Elections in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland: February 2023 (due)
Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)
Australia, New South Wales State Elections: March 25, 2023
Micronesia Parliamentary Elections: March 7, 2023
Malaysia General Elections and State Elections: May 2023 (due – general elections likely to be called earlier)
India, State Elections in Karnataka: May 2023 (due)
Cambodia Parliamentary Elections: July 30, 2023 (due)
Burma Parliamentary Elections: By August 2023 (proposed – tentative, post-coup)
Maldives Presidential Election: September 2023 (due)
Tuvalu General Elections: September 2023 (due)
Singapore Presidential Election: September 2023 (expected – largely ceremonial role)
New Zealand General Elections: October 2023 (expected – due by January 2024)
Bhutan Parliamentary Elections: October 2023 (due)
India, State Elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram: November 2023 (due)
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: December 2023 (due)
India, State Elections in Rajasthan and Telangana: December 2023 (due)
21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.
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Category: This Week Tags: Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu