January 16, 2024

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in the greater Middle East and North Africa, usually posted on Tuesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.

Waiting to vote in Pakistan in 2013. Photo credit: Flickr/DFID – UK Department for International Development (CC BY 2.0)

Upcoming Middle East Elections

Pakistan General Elections: February 8, 2024 (delays possible)

Munir Ahmed, AP (January 16, 2024): Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan indicted on charge of violating marriage law

Mallika Soni, Hindustan Times (January 15, 2024): Pakistan elections: ‘Missing’ Nawaz Sharif, jailed Imran Khan launch campaigns

Asif Shahzad, Reuters (January 13, 2024): Pakistan’s Imran Khan’s party loses cricket bat electoral symbol

Betsy Joles, Bloomberg (January 12, 2024): Nawaz Sharif Gains Ground on Imran Khan Ahead of Pakistan Polls

Adnan Aamir, Nikkei Asia (January 11, 2024): Pakistan in fight over election delay with less than a month to go

Reuters (January 10, 2024): Pakistan election candidate shot dead while campaigning

Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Elections: February 25, 2024 (delayed)

Rudaw (January 10, 2024): Iraqi commission to set new agenda for Kurdish elections: Official

Israel Local Elections: February 27, 2024 (general elections due October 2026 but earlier election possible)

Times of Israel (January 13, 2024): Thousands call for ‘elections now’ during rally at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square

Iran Legislative Elections: March 1, 2024

Jeyhun Ahmadli, Geopolitical Monitor (January 11, 2024): Fair or Fake? Iran Readies for Key Elections in 2024

Turkey Local Elections: March 31, 2023

Bloomberg (January 15, 2025): Turkey Releases Israeli Footballer Detained Over Hamas War Message

Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post (January 15, 2024): For Erdogan, arrest of Israeli soccer player makes good politics before local elections

Adam Samson, Financial Times (January 13, 2024): Turkey tightens internet censorship ahead of elections