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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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks during the launch ceremony of ‘500 Aam Aadmi clinics’, a program to provide health care access in Punjab state, in Amritsar on January 27, 2023. Photo: AFP

Is Kejriwal the next Modi? Delhi polls could shape future of Indian politics

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, appears set to win a third term as Delhi’s chief minister despite facing graft allegations.

13 Jan 2025 - 7:40PMvideocam

‘Passions run high’: Singapore parties’ walkabout row marks pre-polls tensions

13 Jan 2025 - 9:18PM

Indian Hindus gather for Kumbh Mela, 400 million take a plunge for salvation

12 Jan 2025 - 4:46PM

Indonesia court ruling shakes up presidential race rules: ‘victory for democracy’

The ruling removes the 20 per cent seat and 25 per cent vote threshold, paving the way for more diverse candidates and a more competitive political landscape.

10 Jan 2025 - 3:34PM

A woman casts her ballot for Indonesia’s presidential and legislative elections at a polling station in Banda Aceh on February 14, 2024. Photo: AFP

Thai ex-PM Thaksin under fire for alleged racist jibe at African women

Former leader says Thai women have ‘natural beauty’ and his Pheu Thai party will promote them to become supermodels.

8 Jan 2025 - 1:56PM

Thai opposition leader outpolls incumbent in preferred PM survey

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, was selected by 29.9 per cent of 2,000 respondents.

29 Dec 2024 - 8:49PM

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Former Indian Prime Minister cremated in New Delhi, mourned worldwide

Singh was known as a mild-mannered technocrat and was widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation.

28 Dec 2024 - 5:07PM

A funeral procession for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

The Philippines

Philippine VP’s US$10 million snack-name scandal: a recipe for impeachment?

Complaints over confidential funds given to individuals seemingly using aliases derived from food brands fuel calls for transparency.

26 Dec 2024 - 2:04PMvideocam

Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia

From climate change to political storms and a Taylor Swift world tour, Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.

24 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Bangladesh faces election uncertainty amid unrest and weakened police force

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, plans to hold elections next year, but restoring order and public trust in the police is essential for credibility.

19 Dec 2024 - 7:13PMvideocam

Police stand guard at a protest march of job seekers demanding the removal of the age limit for job applications in Dhaka on December 11. Photo: dpa

Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestinian bag sparks political firestorm in India

Her gesture has ignited a debate about India’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing criticism from the ruling BJP for allegedly appeasing Muslims.

18 Dec 2024 - 6:07PMvideocam

Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestinian bag has sparked a political firestorm in India. Photo: X/@iAnkurSingh

Prabowo’s proposal to scrap regional polls stirs fears for Indonesian democracy

Critics say the Indonesian president’s proposal to have local legislatures appoint regional leaders echoes Indonesia’s authoritarian past.

18 Dec 2024 - 11:00AMvideocam

Bangladesh inquiry recommends feared police unit disbanded

Toppled Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including disappearances carried out by the unit.

15 Dec 2024 - 8:31PM

‘One-man party’: is ‘kingmaker’ Widodo planning a political comeback?

Speculation is mounting whether the former Indonesian president might form a new political party to expand his clout.

15 Dec 2024 - 3:00PMvideocam

Indonesia’s then-president Joko Widodo attends the inauguration of deputy ministers in Jakarta in July. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Will AI enhance or undermine Asia’s elections?

Deepfakes and disinformation aside, artificial intelligence also holds the potential to strengthen electoral integrity, a new report says.

15 Dec 2024 - 8:00AMvideocam

AI is already revolutionising Asia’s elections and politics, changing how campaigns are run and reshaping the electoral process. Photo: Shutterstock

With self-branded aid, Indonesia’s Gibran steals a page from Widodo’s playbook

Indonesia’s new vice-president has come under fire for distributing aid packages featuring his name, echoing his father’s populist tactics.

14 Dec 2024 - 12:00PM

India’s political landscape is shifting, with parties vying for women’s votes

Indian political parties are targeting women voters with financial aid and empowerment schemes, acknowledging their increasing electoral influence.

13 Dec 2024 - 6:18PMvideocam

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The Philippines

In Philippines, could an influential church shape the fate of VP Sara Duterte?

The Iglesia ni Cristo, known for its disciplined bloc voting, plans to protest against moves to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:00AMvideocam

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: AP

Opposition candidate wins Jakarta governor race in blow to Indonesia’s Prabowo

The result was an unexpected victory for Indonesia’s sole opposition party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

9 Dec 2024 - 12:38PM

Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters march in protest of attacks in India

Thousands marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to denounce attacks on a diplomatic mission.

8 Dec 2024 - 11:48PM

Asian Angle | Thaksin’s return at Udon Thani election sparks play for national influence

The return of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra turned a local election into a national political stage, aiming to motivate Pheu Thai’s voter base.

8 Dec 2024 - 10:30AMvideocam

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives to face charges of insulting the monarchy at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 19. Photo: EPA-EFE

The Philippines

Impeaching Philippine VP Sara Duterte is ‘now or never’, analysts say

Delaying impeachment proceedings, which can be highly politicised, is likely to bolster Duterte-Carpio’s 2028 presidential run, observers note.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:01AM

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio. Photo: Reuters

India’s BJP-led alliance tested by deal making to form Maharashtra government

Despite the coalition’s electoral win in the state, analysts say negotiations over government roles reveal the alliance’s weaknesses.

4 Dec 2024 - 8:42PMvideocam

Sri Lanka’s new government faces backlash over IMF debt repayment plan

President Dissanayake has chosen to continue with the current IMF programme, raising concerns about its impact on economic growth and relief for the population.

30 Nov 2024 - 7:53AMvideocam

Prabowo’s coalition set to sweep regional polls, Jakarta slipping away

Opposition-backed candidate Pramono Anung is leading in the election for the Jakarta gubernatorial seat based on quick-count results.

29 Nov 2024 - 5:22PMvideocam

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto shows the ballot papers while voting at a regional election in Bogor, West Java on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

My Take | ‘Worse than before’: Bangladesh’s turmoil grows as Yunus tries to restore order

Muhammad Yunus faces challenges in restoring order and reviving Bangladesh’s economy amid ethnic tensions and urgent calls for new elections.

29 Nov 2024 - 10:30AMvideocam

Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, speaks to members of the media at the COP29 UN Climate Summit on November 13. Photo: AP

China’s ‘wolf warrior’ envoy sparks row by backing Japanese leftist party

The incident has led to calls for the expulsion of Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka.

28 Nov 2024 - 4:04PMvideocam

Singapore’s PAP goes from ‘faceless monolith’ to the forefront of activism

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pushes for more direct engagement with Singaporeans to address changing electoral landscape and voter expectations.

27 Nov 2024 - 11:03AMvideocam

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