Clean elections23. January
Clean elections13. January
Election speculation in Japan drives jump in Tokyo stock market
Speculation is rising in Japan on Prime Minister Takaichi calling a snap election, as her cabinet enjoys strong polling figures. Press reports suggested January 23 as a likely date. The speculation drove a 3% jump in share prices at the opening on Tuesday.
Clean elections12. January
Polls open in second phase of contested Myanmar junta-run election
The second of three voting phases in Myanmar's contested election started with a mixed turnout and continued criticism that the vote is neither free nor fair.
Clean elections30. December
Pro-military party claims victory in Myanmar vote first phase
The party backed by Myanmar's military rulers claims to have won the first phase of an election by a large majority. Amid armed conflict and in the face of a boycott called by the opposition, the results are set to be contested when they are announced in late January.
Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information29. December
Malaysia set to restrict access to social media by under-16s
Malaysia aims to restrict social media use by implementing a platform-proposed age verification mechanism, describing it as more practical, enforceable and privacy-protective than Australia’s “age assurance” approach.
Clean elections29. December
Son of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi calls elections a "scam"
Many parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy, which scored landslide victories in 2015 and 2020, have been banned from the latest poll in Myanmar, which has sparked sharp criticism from observers and human rights activists.
Clean elections23. December
UN says Myanmar junta using 'brutal violence' to force people to vote
For months, the elections scheduled by the military junta in Myanmar have been heavily criticised internationally. Now, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has spoken out again. He criticises that the elections, which begin on December 28, are starting in a violent climate.
Political corruption22. December
Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib lost bid for house arrest
The political scandal surrounding the Malaysian fund 1MDB is currently attracting a lot of attention again. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak will soon face another trial - and his attempt to mitigate his already existing prison sentence has failed for the time being.
Equality before the law19. December
Protests erupt in Bangladesh after key 2024 uprising figure dies
Bangladesh continues to be in turmoil. 16 months after the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, violent protests have broken out again in the Asian country. The trigger was the murder of a well-known activist who had planned to run in the country's next election in 2026.