<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

You have probably heard that there are big electionsWhen a vote is held to decide who should represent a group of people. taking place in the UK and USA this year.

But you might not know that this is the biggest election year in the world ever. In 2024, around four billion people will vote in a national election.

Here are eight of the most important elections around the world this year:

Taiwan In January, the TaiwaneseFrom Taiwan, an island country in east Asia. China still claims to be the legitimate owner of Taiwan, while the Taiwanese government until recently claimed to be the legitimate government of the whole of China. people chose Lai Ching-te as president. He is likely to cut more links to China.

Pakistan When Pakistan went to the polls last month, Imran KhanA former international cricketer who became the prime minister of Pakistan in 2018, until April 2022. won a shock victory.

Indonesia The latest big vote was in IndonesiaA country in south-east Asia, made up of over 17,000 islands. in February. Prabowo Subianto, who wants Indonesia to move away from the West, took an early lead.

India India will hold the biggest election of all, with 912 million possible voters. Some fear Narendra ModiThe prime minister of India. He inspires passionate support from many in his country, but his critics regard him as populist, anti-Muslim and authoritarian. may use a win to weaken Indian democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people..

Mexico In June, Mexicans are likely to elect their first female and first Jewish president, Claudia Sheinbaum. She supports LGBT+ rights.

EU The European ParliamentThe EU's law-making body. Its members are directly elected by EU voters every five years. result is unlikely to change much - but organising an election in 27 countries with 24 official languages is a big task.

South Africa Since the end of apartheidA system of legally-enshrined racial discrimination and oppression which existed in South Africa from 1948 until the 1990s. It denied non-white South Africans basic human rights. in 1994 the African National CongressA South African political party, which has ruled the country since 1994. It was the party of Nelson Mandela. has won every election. Now that could change.

Ukraine The election had been cancelled because of the war. However, Volodymyr ZelenskyZelensky won more than 73% of the vote to become Ukrainian President in April 2019. Incredibly, he once starred in a satirical drama in which his character accidentally wins the Ukrainian presidency. may call one anyway.

Will 2024 change history?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>

Yes! In many countries, voters have a choice between a leader who wants ties to the West and a leader who wants ties to China. The results could change history.

No! Many of the votes are not really free or fair - so they will change nothing at all. And even when voters have a free choice, many leaders do not make huge changes.

Elections - When a vote is held to decide who should represent a group of people.

Taiwanese - From Taiwan, an island country in east Asia. China still claims to be the legitimate owner of Taiwan, while the Taiwanese government until recently claimed to be the legitimate government of the whole of China.

Imran Khan - A former international cricketer who became the prime minister of Pakistan in 2018, until April 2022.

Indonesia - A country in south-east Asia, made up of over 17,000 islands.

Narendra Modi - The prime minister of India. He inspires passionate support from many in his country, but his critics regard him as populist, anti-Muslim and authoritarian.

Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.

European Parliament - The EU's law-making body. Its members are directly elected by EU voters every five years.

Apartheid - A system of legally-enshrined racial discrimination and oppression which existed in South Africa from 1948 until the 1990s. It denied non-white South Africans basic human rights.

African National Congress - A South African political party, which has ruled the country since 1994. It was the party of Nelson Mandela.

Volodymyr Zelensky - Zelensky won more than 73% of the vote to become Ukrainian President in April 2019. Incredibly, he once starred in a satirical drama in which his character accidentally wins the Ukrainian presidency.