Displaying items by tag: Election

Ecuador’s presidential election is headed for a runoff on 13 April. With 80% of the votes counted in the first round, incumbent president Daniel Noboa has secured 44.4%, and opposition candidate Luisa Gonzalez  44.1%. Gonzalez, a protégé of former president Rafael Correa, saw a surge in support, surprising analysts: Noboa, a wealthy businessman who took office 14 months ago, had hoped to avoid a runoff by winning outright. His tenure has been marked by an aggressive crackdown on violent crime, deploying the military and declaring a state of emergency. Supporters praise his strong-handed approach, but human rights groups allege abuses. As Ecuador faces economic uncertainty and a growing security crisis, the nation remains divided.

Tundu Lissu has been elected chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, ousting Freeman Mbowe, who had led the party for over twenty years. Lissu won a tightly contested election with 51.5% of the vote, campaigning on promises of change and stronger opposition to the ruling CCM party. Mbowe emphasised his record of strengthening the party and accepted the results graciously. Lissu, a vocal critic of the government, survived a 2017 assassination attempt and lost the presidential election in 2020 to John Magufuli. He has accused Magufuli’s successor, Samia Suluhu Hassan, of repression, and strongly spoken out against human rights violations and recent abductions and disappearances of citizens, including opposition officials. He and other colleagues have been arrested in recent months amid a government crackdown on opposition demonstrations. His leadership signals a shift towards a bolder opposition stance ahead of the October presidential elections.

Violence has gripped Mozambique following disputed elections on 9 October; the situation worsened after Daniel Chapo was officially declared president on 23 December. Adding to the feeling of insecurity, on Christmas Day over 1,500 prisoners escaped from a maximum-security prison in Maputo. Violence, deaths, and looting have driven thousands to flee to Malawi and Eswatini, straining resources when those countries are already grappling with drought and poverty - and the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the region. In northern Mozambique, ongoing attacks in Cabo Delgado since 2017 have already displaced hundreds of thousands. Refugees face dire conditions in overcrowded shelters, with inadequate food, water, and sanitation, raising the risk of disease. Christian organisations are mediating peace efforts and engaging in prayer: Tearfund has joined their call for dialogue and reconciliation, urging Christians worldwide to pray for peace in Mozambique and relief for the displaced.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, has been elected Namibia's president, becoming the country’s first female leader. She secured 57% of the vote, avoiding a predicted run-off. Declaring her win as a mandate for ‘peace and stability’, Nandi-Ndaitwah continues her SWAPO party's 34-year dominance since the country's independence. However, opposition parties have disputed the results, citing technical issues such as ballot shortages and extensions of voting periods. Long queues left some voters waiting up to twelve hours, and critics claim that these  problems violated election laws. The main opposition candidate, Panduleni Itula, who trailed with 25.5%, described the election as ‘neither free nor fair’. Nandi-Ndaitwah's political journey began in the 1970s independence movement, followed by a 1990 parliamentary debut and several ministerial roles. Despite SWAPO’s legacy, growing youth discontent highlights challenges ahead as Namibia grapples with unemployment and inequality.

Unexpectedly, the presidential election in Romania has seen nationalist independent Calin Georgescu leading the first round. A 62-year-old expert in sustainable development, he calls for a Romania based on small-scale organic agriculture, Christian values, and national sovereignty. His platform, similar to that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, emphasises self-reliance and reduced dependence on international alliances. Georgescu’s rise is partly attributed to his pledge to ‘restore Romania’s dignity’ and challenge perceived subservience to organisations like NATO and the EU. His criticism of the US-backed missile shield at Deveselu, which he calls a ‘diplomatic embarrassment’, echoes the Kremlin narrative, raising concerns among Western allies. If elected, he could alter the country’s foreign policy and reshape its political landscape.

The National People’s Power (NPP) party, led by president Anura Kamara Dissanayake, has achieved a historic election victory, securing 159 seats. This was the most dominant result since the proportional representation system was introduced in 1978. The NPP won in nearly all districts, signalling a major political shift. The victory symbolises a rejection of the long-standing patronage-based politics which have dominated Sri Lanka since independence, particularly the influence of family dynasties such as the Rajapaksas and Bandaranaikes. Dissanayake’s campaign focused on transparency, equity, and public service, appealing to voters disillusioned by past inefficiencies, which were exposed during the 2022 economic crisis. The defeat of the traditional parties underscores the changing political landscape and growing support for the NPP.

In a dramatic political comeback, Donald Trump has secured a victory in the US presidential election. Despite his controversial past, including his role in the January 2021 Capitol riots and criminal charges related to falsifying business records, he garnered significant support from voters who felt that the economy and immigration issues had been mishandled by Joe Biden: his slogan ‘America First’ resonated deeply with them. Voters also voiced dissatisfaction with Kamala Harris, fearing that another term under Democratic leadership would offer more of the same. While Trump’s victory marks a significant shift in the political landscape, many are concerned about his divisive rhetoric and admiration for authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. When he returns to power, the USA and the world will see whether his bold promises of change will come to fruition - and at what cost to democracy and global stability. For a detailed and gloomy assessment, see

State prosecutors in Georgia are investigating possible election fraud following opposition claims that the results of the recent parliamentary elections were falsified. They will question president Salome Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of the election process; she has declared the results invalid due to a ‘Russian special operation’ – a charge denied by Russia. Joe Biden and the EU have expressed concerns over irregularities and democratic decline in Georgia. Although the ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner with 54% of the vote, the opposition condemned the results as a ‘constitutional coup’. International observers noted instances of voter intimidation, bribery, and ballot stuffing, but did not go as far as labelling the election as rigged. The electoral commission has defended the election as fair, but said that it would conduct a recount at a small number of randomly selected polling stations.

As 5 November draws near, the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is extremely close, with Harris at 48% and Trump at 47% support according to a recent poll. Harris garners stronger personal support, especially on issues like reproductive rights, uniting the country, and protecting democracy, while Trump is seen as stronger on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Trump’s supporters focus on economic issues, particularly inflation, whereas Harris’ supporters prioritise protecting democracy. Both candidates have a gender divide in support, with independent women favouring Harris and independent men leaning toward Trump. The poll also highlights a nation divided on political violence: 77% believe current political discourse encourages violence, with more fearing escalation if Trump wins (57%) than if Harris does (42%). Emotions run high, with nearly equal numbers expressing fear (47% for Trump, 45% for Harris) and excitement (41% for Trump, 40% for Harris) depending on the winner. Both candidates inspire complex reactions, reflecting shifts from past elections and a broader concern about the country’s direction. For a discussion about what difference the result of the election would make, see

A judge has overturned changes made by Georgia's Republican-controlled state election board in August, which a conservative group argued would disrupt voting rights ahead of the presidential election on 5 November. His ruling followed a lawsuit by the conservative group Eternal Vigilance Action, which claimed the board overstepped its authority. The changes included empowering county election officials to investigate discrepancies in vote counts before certifying results. The move drew bipartisan criticism; one official warned that it would undermine voter confidence and burden election workers. Democrats, who filed a separate lawsuit, argued the rules aimed to delay certification, a mandatory part of election outcomes. The judge’s ruling follows a similar decision to block a rule requiring ballots be counted by hand, which Democrats said was another attempt to impede certification. Georgia is expected to be a key battleground state in the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.