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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.

Then acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman addresses his supporters after his return from London in Dhaka on December 25. Photo: Reuters

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:53PM

As I see it | Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope

31 Dec 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Malaysia’s opposition thrown into uncertainty as Muhyiddin quits as PN chairman

30 Dec 2025 - 5:57PMvideocam

Border row aids Anutin as Shinawatras play catch up in Thai election

Caretaker PM Anutin rides nationalist wave over Cambodia; Pheu Thai taps Thaksin’s nephew to revive brand; reformists drop key vows to stay relevant.

30 Dec 2025 - 3:47PMvideocam

Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party candidate Anutin Charnvirakul (centre) poses for photos on the first day of candidate registration in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness

Despite her ill health, 80-year-old Zia, a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles, had vowed to run in next year’s election.

30 Dec 2025 - 6:08PMvideocam

Will Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh ease tensions, restore stability?

Rahman could help consolidate the BNP’s position as the dominant electoral force, while tempering a volatile political climate, analysts say.

29 Dec 2025 - 6:50PMvideocam

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Why Myanmar’s junta election cannot hide a collapsing economy

Analysts warn that conflict, power shortages and resource extraction under military rule are pushing Myanmar’s economy further into reverse.

29 Dec 2025 - 5:20PM

A vendor waits beside bottles of oil at a market in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar. Inflation in the country has reached record highs of about 30 per cent over the past two years. Photo: AFP

Ex-rapper to run for Nepal PM after youth-led protests

Two popular leaders form an alliance ahead of Nepal’s March 5 elections.

29 Dec 2025 - 1:36PM

Who is running for Thai PM? Unofficial campaign starts as parties name candidates

PM Anutin seeks re-election in a three-way race against People’s Party and Thaksin’s Pheu Thai amid constitutional referendum in February poll.

28 Dec 2025 - 7:41PM

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

The multiphase election, which the junta insists is ‘free and fair’, comes nearly four years after it took power in a coup.

29 Dec 2025 - 8:53AMvideocam

A voter shows her inked finger after casting a ballot in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: EPA

‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora

The junta’s phased election starting on Sunday has been slammed as a ploy for its generals to stay in power.

27 Dec 2025 - 12:50PMvideocam

A Myanmar police officer stands guard during the Union Solidarity and Development Party’s election campaign on the final day of campaigning in Naypyitaw on Friday. Photo: EPA

Thailand’s Anutin named PM candidate for ‘consequential’ February poll

Caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul named Bhumjaithai’s PM candidate, banking on nationalism and Cambodia tensions to win election.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:39PMvideocam

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

23 Dec 2025 - 11:41AMvideocam

Asian Angle | Sabah’s election proves Malaysians want results, not slogans

Local parties crying ‘Sabah First’ largely flopped as voters rejected empty identity rhetoric for proven service records.

21 Dec 2025 - 10:30AM

Officials from the Sabah People’s Coalition, or Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), hold a launch event on October 20 in preparation for the 17th Sabah state election. Photo: Facebook/grs.sabah

Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row

The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.

19 Dec 2025 - 9:08PM

Students create a long scroll in Kelang, Selangor state. A proposal for the Malaysian government’s recognition of school leaving certificates issued by private Chinese high schools has sparked a row in the ruling coalition. Photo: Xinhua

Video | Protests turn violent in Bangladesh after uprising leader killed

Protesters set fire to multiple buildings in the capital, Dhaka, including the offices of newspapers accused of pro-India bias.

19 Dec 2025 - 6:17PM

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.

19 Dec 2025 - 5:31PMvideocam

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Bangladeshi politician’s threat targeting India’s northeast deepens row

His claim of Delhi’s election interference comes days after a leader of the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was shot in Dhaka.

18 Dec 2025 - 5:52PM

Hasnat Abdullah (centre), a leader of the National Citizen Party, speaking at a rally in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Kick-off in Kolkata: how Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle

The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:02PMvideocam

Bangladesh to airlift injured uprising leader to Singapore after shooting

Attackers shot student leader Sharif Osman Hadi shortly after a date was announced for elections, following on from last year’s uprising.

15 Dec 2025 - 11:03PMvideocam

The Philippines

Could a plunder probe weaken Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s 2028 prospects?

An insider said the filing is less about getting a conviction than opening the door to financial scrutiny that could damage her politically.

14 Dec 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte listens to questions from journalists during an event marking the 90th anniversary of the Office of the Vice President in Makati City, Metro Manila, on November 14. Duterte is facing a plunder complaint linked to her use of confidential funds. Photo: EPA-EFE

The Philippines

New corruption complaint against Philippine VP Duterte heightens political drama

The filing comes as a corruption crisis grows, setting up a tough legal fight that could threaten Duterte’s potential 2028 presidential bid.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte delivers a speech at the 90th anniversary celebration of the vice-president’s office in Manila last month. Photo: AP

Are India and Bangladesh sidestepping Hasina’s exile to improve frayed ties?

A national security bilateral meeting and Narendra Modi’s message of support for Khaleda Zia signal that ties are on the mend.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:03PMvideocam

Thai PM says he will return ‘power to the people’, setting stage for election

Thailand’s military said the coming election would not affect its operations against Cambodia amid a renewed border conflict.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:44PMvideocam

Prabowo’s push to end direct election for Indonesian regional heads stirs debate

The president says the move is to stop wasteful spending and vote buying, but critics warn that it risks a return to Suharto-era politics.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto greets flood survivors during his visit to Southeast Aceh on December 1. Photo: Indonesian Presidential Palace/AP

Why a leading party in Bangladesh is facing uncertainty as election looms

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leadership crisis threatens to undermine its advantage ahead of the February election, analysts say.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:01PM

People carry flags and banners during a rally organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 7. Photo: EPA

Bangladesh mass grave from 2024 uprising exhumed with UN support

The UN says up to 1,400 people were killed in the crackdowns, forming the basis for the former prime minister’s conviction for crimes against humanity.

7 Dec 2025 - 10:54PM

Why Anwar faces uphill task to win back voters after Sabah election trouncing

Sabah voters don’t trust Anwar, and this will complicate his plan for the next general election, analysts say.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:15PMvideocam

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