EXPLAINERFrom the February vote in Bangladesh to the November US midterms, here is a calendar of key election dates.More than 40 countries, representing a combined population of 1.6 billion people, will hold national-level elections in 2026.These contests, including general, presidential, and parliamentary elections, will shape the governance for nearly one-fifth of the global population. The outcomes will influence domestic policies, economic strategies, and global alliances.Below is a month-by-month look at the key elections to watch, along with their political consequences.January
Myanmar – General elections (January 11 – second phase), (January 25 – third phase)
Uganda – General elections (January 15)
Portugal – Presidential elections (January 18)
February
Costa Rica – General elections (February 1)
Thailand – General elections (February 8)
Bangladesh – General elections (February 12)
Bangladesh will hold its first national vote since a student-led uprising ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule in 2024. Voters will also decide on the “July Charter”, a reform plan limiting executive power, strengthening the judiciary, and insulating law enforcement from political interference. Supporters chant slogans as they block Shahbagh Square demanding justice, following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader, who was undergoing treatment in Singapore after being shot in the head, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 19, 2025 [Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]
Laos – Parliamentary elections (February 22)
March
Nepal – General elections (March 5)
Nepal’s upcoming elections are shaped by the September 2025 Gen Z-led protests that toppled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli over corruption and economic frustration. Many of the protesters have been campaigning for voter registration, highlighting how Nepalese youth now have a real chance to turn their movement into political influence and help shape the country’s future. Advertisement
Vietnam – Parliamentary elections (March 15)
Slovenia – Parliamentary elections (Expected on March 22)
Republic of the Congo – Preside …
