Democracy is a global story. In 2026, millions of people – many of them voting for the first time – went to the polls across Europe, Asia and Africa. Not every election was perfect, but together they show how strongly people everywhere want a say in their future.
Europe: Hungary’s record turnout
On 12 April 2026, Hungary held a parliamentary election in which nearly 80% of eligible voters cast a ballot – the highest turnout since the country became a democracy. Young voters were especially active, and the outgoing prime minister conceded defeat. Elsewhere in Europe, Poland has seen a striking trend: at its 2025 presidential election, youth turnout exceeded overall turnout for the first time.
Asia: a generation votes
In Bangladesh, the election on 12 February 2026 was the first competitive national vote in years for millions of young people. Voters aged 18 to 27 made up about 44% of the country’s roughly 129 million voters. In Nepal, around 120 political parties registered for the 5 March election – the most since democracy was restored in 2006 – after youth-led protests the year before. And on 8 February, Thai voters took part in a general election and a constitutional referendum on the same day for the first time.
Africa: peaceful votes and transfers of power
In Zambia, the general election on 13 August 2026 was endorsed by regional and international observers as broadly peaceful and well organised. The Southern African Development Community observation mission found that most stakeholders saw the environment as an improvement on 2021.
In Benin, the April 2026 presidential election marked the country’s fifth democratic transfer of power since 1990, and the losing candidate congratulated the winner before the count was complete. Observers also raised concerns – the main opposition party was not on the ballot – a reminder that democracy needs fair competition as well as peaceful votes.
What connects these stories
From Budapest to Dhaka to Lusaka, the message is the same: people want to be heard, and young people are leading the way. At 360 Democracy Now we will keep following these stories – the successes and the challenges – from every corner of the world.
Sources
- Ynet News – Hungary’s Gen Z drives opposition win
- Notes from Poland – Poland’s record youth turnout
- The Star – Younger Bangladesh voters primed for first post-Hasina election
- Council on Foreign Relations – After Gen Z protests, Bangladesh and Nepal head to the polls
- ANFREL – Thailand election and referendum
- SARDC – Hichilema secures second term in Zambia
- ISS Africa – Benin hands Wadagni a growth mandate and a democratic test
