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Asia elections

Asia elections
The latest news, analysis and videos on the elections in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Australia and Japan.
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio speaks to Filipino workers at an event in Hong Kong on March 9. Photo: Sam Tsang
The Philippines

Is Duterte’s ‘capable’ daughter reshaping her image for a 2028 presidential run?

Showcasing a kinder image to overseas Filipinos, Sara Duterte-Carpio appears to be positioning herself for a future presidential bid.

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Australia

Australia PM calls election for May 3, amid inflation and housing challenges

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South Korea

Court overturns South Korean opposition chief’s election law conviction

Australia

Australia’s two-party system faces its biggest challenge yet: young people

Angry and frustrated young Australians want to make mainstream politicians ‘feel their hurt’ in this year’s election, observers say.

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School students attend a climate rally in Melbourne. For the first time, baby boomers will be outnumbered by millennials and Gen Z voters at Australia’s next federal elections. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Call by Malaysia’s DAP for 2-term limit for prime minister draws PAS’ rebuke

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the cabinet to study the Democratic Action Party’s proposal for a two-term limit.

The Philippines

Filipinos’ anger over cuts, Duterte’s arrest threaten Marcos’ Senate slate

Addressing Filipinos’ concerns about bread-and-butter issues will be key to winning their votes in the midterms, analysts say.

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Japan

‘Volcanic’ public anger over Ishiba’s gift scandal puts Japan’s LDP in crisis

The scandal has raised concerns about political ethics ahead of a crucial election, with analysts noting it reflects increasing public anger towards Japan’s ruling LDP.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba answers questions at a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee at the Diet in Tokyo on March 14. Photo: AFP
Singapore

How Singapore’s opposition hopes to loosen the PAP’s 66-year grip on power

The Workers’ Party aims to build on its gains. Tan Cheng Bock’s PSP is back in the fray, too. Can they chip away at the PAP’s supermajority?

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Singapore

Singapore’s election battle lines set as body increases seats, redraws hot wards

The city state’s closely contested wards in the last election have been regrouped.

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Myanmar

Myanmar election to be held by January, junta chief says

The vote would be ‘free and fair’ he said during a state visit to Belarus, inviting the eastern European country to observe the election.

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Members of Myanmar’s Union Election Commission during a demonstration of voting machines to be used in future elections in 2023. Photo: AFP
Bhutan

In a world of declining freedom, 1 South Asian nation stands out: report

Only one nation in South Asia was classified as ‘free’ in US democracy watchdog Freedom House’s latest report.

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A Bhutanese voter shows an indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote at a polling station in Thimphu during general elections in January 2024. Photo: AFP
Singapore

‘Poor marksmanship’: Singapore’s PM Wong clashes with Pritam Singh over GST rise

Lawrence Wong rebuts the opposition leader’s criticisms of the GST, saying there is a need to make ‘responsible choices’ in his budget wrap.

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The Philippines

Philippine military stays silent amid calls for Marcos Jnr’s ouster

As calls to remove Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr grow amid escalating political turmoil, the military is focusing on national security not intervention.

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Pakistan

Pakistan NGO chief who alleged vote rigging has home sealed

Sarwar Bari’s report alleged widespread rigging in national elections last year, when a coalition of parties friendly to the military took power.

Supporters of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, take part in a rally to commemorate the first anniversary of general elections, in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

How long can Singapore’s NMP scheme stay relevant?

The resignations of two nominated members of parliament have sparked a debate on the scheme’s non-partisan integrity and future relevance.

Parliament House in Singapore. The city state’s nominated member of parliament scheme faces a reckoning. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Most Singaporeans say budget sweeteners inadequate to cushion inflation: survey

Among 1,002 adults surveyed by a research firm, 55 per cent said the budget’s US$92.8 billion in spending was not enough to cover inflation.

Indonesia

‘Dark Indonesia’ for Prabowo amid major protests against costly policies

Student protests across the country underline Prabowo’s ‘blunder and mediocre cabinet’ but are unlikely to ‘rock’ national politics, analysts note.

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Bangladesh

‘Critical juncture’: can Yunus overcome Hasina’s legacy and reform Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, must rebuild the nation after Sheikh Hasina’s regime was overthrown, while dealing with resistance from her supporters.

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Nobel laureate and chief adviser of Bangladesh’s new interim government, Muhammad Yunus greets the public after laying a wreath at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Dhaka on August 9, 2024. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Filipinos care more about daily struggles, not Marcos-Duterte feud: survey

About 94 per cent of respondents in a survey say they will vote for candidates who advocate increased job opportunities and food security.

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Singapore

Singapore budget to be defining test of Lawrence Wong’s leadership: analysts

The budget, to be unveiled on Tuesday, is expected to focus on cost-of-living and job security issues, and also a chance to ‘win over undecided voters’, analysts say.

The Philippines

Duterte’s ‘kill senators’ quip ignites controversy in Philippine midterms

Former president Rodrigo Duterte jokes that the candidates backed by him can win the May elections by way of “a bomb” aimed at their rivals.

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Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte delivers a message during the proclamation rally for his political party PDP-Laban’s senatorial candidates ahead of the midterm elections in Metro Manila, Philippines on February 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

No more a ‘fixed-deposit account’: do Singapore’s GRCs need a rethink?

Large multi-seat constituencies like Sengkang have become a high-stakes gamble for the ruling PAP, analysts say.

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Workers’ Party MPs Louis Chua, He Ting Ru and Jamus Lim pictured on a Lunar New Year banner in Sengkang, Singapore. Photo: Jean Iau
The Philippines

Can Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte stage Trump-style presidential comeback?

Former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez says the country’s constitution allows Duterte to run in a presidential election again.

India

My Take | India’s Congress needs to change course or face oblivion

A string of defeats in state elections to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party shows that Congress and its allies have lost their way.

The Philippines

Why South China Sea row is an election hot-button issue for Philippines

China issue ‘will play well’ among voters as more candidates adopt maritime row as part of their platforms.

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Protesters hold a rally to criticise agressive sea manoeuvres of Chinese defence units against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, outside China’s consular office in Makati City, Metro Manila, in June 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Philippines

In Philippines, Duterte camp hits back with corruption case against Marcos ally

Complaint accuses House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers of corruption by illegally inserting US$4 billion into the 2025 budget.

Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez speaks during a session at the House of Representatives building in Quezon City, Metro Manila on February 5. Photo: AFP
South Korea

‘Poisoning the well’: concern over China-meddling claims in South Korea election

A ‘Hate China’ campaign would be a ‘losing game for Korea’, one observer warns, pointing out the backlash in China would be even greater.

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India

Modi cements national dominance after beating AAP in Delhi state election

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has reclaimed power in the Delhi state after 27 years.

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