As 2026 begins, Asia and the Pacific are entering a significant electoral season, with hundreds of millions of citizens set to vote. This period represents a “year of opportunity” for governance renewal, allowing countries to either confirm existing leadership or embrace new directions. Elections in countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal illustrate a renewal of faith in democracy, demonstrating that even amid challenges, the democratic process offers a chance for societal reinvigoration. This period of upheaval can be likened to natural renewal—shedding old structures and embracing new possibilities.
The region faces complex challenges, including economic uncertainty, technological disruptions, post-pandemic fatigue, and geopolitical tensions. These pressures intersect with a pressing need to reset development priorities. Traditional income-based growth models are increasingly inadequate, and the upcoming elections will test whether leaders and institutions can meet evolving public demands for inclusive economies and responsive governance, especially in a social media-driven information environment.
The UN provides electoral assistance only upon formal request from member states or mandates from the Security Council or General Assembly. UNDP, as the UN’s largest provider of on-the-ground electoral support, assists over 50 countries annually while maintaining neutrality and supporting national ownership of electoral processes. Support includes technical advice to electoral commissions, voter education, measures to increase participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and public communications. UNDP’s assistance spans the full electoral cycle, aiming to ensure transparency, credibility, and inclusivity in the exercise of voting rights.
A key lesson from UNDP’s experience is that credible elections are defined less by flawless logistics and technology, and more by the public’s confidence in leaders. However, the rise of digital platforms and social media has transformed elections, expanding reach and engagement while introducing risks of disinformation and cyber threats. Embedding digital checks, transparency, and literacy throughout the electoral cycle is now a critical requirement.
In Bangladesh, the February 2026 elections will be the country’s largest ever, with 127.6 million registered voters, including 7.9 million new voters—51% of whom are women and one-third youth. These elections will also introduce out-of-country and postal voting for the first time. UNDP is supporting voter education, Election Commission capacity building, and enhanced participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups, alongside measures to strengthen transparency.
In Nepal, the March 2026 elections follow widespread youth protests demanding anti-corruption reforms. UNDP, together with UN Women, is supporting inclusive voter participation, digital literacy initiatives, and secure online voting, with a particular emphasis on civic education for women and marginalized populations.
In the conflict-affected Bangsamoro region of the Philippines, elections serve as a platform to sustain peace, consolidate political dialogue, and strengthen the social contract. UNDP’s efforts focus on electoral integrity, greater citizen engagement, and mitigating emerging digital risks, including online gender-based violence. Across the region, UNDP has supported modernization of electoral ICT systems, satellite connections, improved efficiency and security, digital voter education, and transparent campaign finance reporting.
In the Pacific Islands, UNDP assistance has strengthened electoral bodies in Tuvalu, Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa. Efforts have advanced gender equality, leadership, and voter engagement in dispersed and remote constituencies.
Elections offer a vital opportunity to rebuild societal trust, strengthen governance institutions, and ensure that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote. With the support of UNDP and partners—including the EU, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Japan, and the United Kingdom—2026 presents a chance for nations to reset social contracts, reinforcing commitments and obligations between citizens and their governments in these disrupted times.
