In 2024, the world witnessed a historic surge in elections, with over a billion people casting their votes. Time Magazine described it as a “make-or-break year for democracy,” a year where the sheer volume and diversity of elections significantly influenced the global democratic landscape. At the center of this global wave was Asia, a region where elections in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, South Korea, and Indonesia drew international attention. Together, these nations represented over 25% of the world’s population, making their choices and democratic processes a critical lens through which to view the state of democracy.
On December 12, 2024, at 09:00 AM UTC, WAPOR hosted a webinar that delved into these momentous elections. The session provided a deep dive into each country’s electoral system, a swift analysis of the results, and an assessment of how pre-election polls compared to actual outcomes. The discussion also revealed valuable insights from exit polls and examined what these elections signaled about the health of democracy, both regionally and globally.
Panellists from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia shared first-hand insights from the field, offering unique perspectives on their countries’ democratic journeys in 2024. Moderated by Yashwant Deshmukh of CVoter India, the webinar uncovered patterns, surprises, and truths about democracy in Asia. This engaging discussion provided attendees with a clearer understanding of Asia’s 2024 elections and the broader story they told about the state of democracy worldwide.
