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

This is the biggest electionA vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people. 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 presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the 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 Prabowo Subianto, who wants Indonesia to move away from the West, took an early lead in the vote in February.

India 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.

EU Running an election for the European ParliamentThe EU's law-making body. Its members are directly elected by EU voters every five years. in 27 countries with 24 official languages is a big task.

South Africa 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 since 1994. 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.

Election - A vote in which someone is chosen to 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.

President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.

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

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.

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.