7 countries where elections are anything but ordinary

India: elections on elephant

India is holding the largest elections in the world, covering more than 900 million voters. The electoral process is so large-scale that it can last up to 39 days, and during this time, elections are held in several stages.

Due to the diversity of the territory, election commissions even use elephants to reach remote villages where there is no access to cars.

The elections here are also characterized by a huge number of parties, with candidates trying to attract the attention of voters by offering various promises, sometimes even ridiculous and absurd. This is a real theatrical event, where each stage becomes an event for the whole country.

Australia: compulsory voting

In Australia, not voting is not an option! Voting is compulsory here, and you can get a fine for not voting. This leads to a record 89% voter turnout, which is one of the highest in the world.

But the Australian electoral system has one more interesting feature: the so-called negative vote when voters can mark candidates in order of preference, which means that their vote can be transferred to the next candidate if their first choice does not receive enough votes.

This system makes elections even more interesting and avoids situations where votes are simply lost.

In Australia, elections are not a right, but a duty (photo: Pexels.com)

Papua New Guinea: tribal politics

In Papua New Guinea, where the population consists of more than 800 tribes, the electoral process has its unique traditions. Here, candidates often buy votes with pigs or alcohol, which has become an integral part of the political culture.

Elections can be accompanied by violence and fraud, as competition between candidates sometimes goes to extremes. The counting of votes can turn into real dramas, where political disputes end in fights. This situation makes elections in this country extremely tense and unpredictable.

Estonia: online voting

Estonia has become a pioneer in the world of digital democracy, allowing citizens to vote online since 2005. This has been made possible by the introduction of electronic identification cards, which allow voters to cast their ballots from anywhere in the world, even while abroad.

Estonia continues to improve the system by adding new features to protect personal data. This is not only convenient but also significantly increases voter turnout, as voting is now accessible to all.

USA: postal voting from space

In the United States, voters who have become astronauts can even vote from space! The first vote in space was cast in 1997 when astronaut David Wolf sent his ballot during a mission aboard the space station.

This became possible thanks to special communication channels that ensure the reliability and confidentiality of voting. Such a system not only emphasizes the innovation of American democracy but also emphasizes the importance of all citizens participating in elections, regardless of their circumstances.

Voting by mail is very common in the United States (photo: Pexels.com)

Switzerland: direct democracy

Switzerland is famous for its direct democracy model, where residents can initiate referendums that directly affect legislation. This means that citizens can not only vote for candidates but also propose changes to the Constitution.

The country holds numerous votes on issues related to both local and national problems. The Swiss have the right to express their opinions on various political issues, which makes them active participants in the political process.

Nigeria: a variety of methods

In Nigeria, elections are distinguished by their multifaceted approach to the electoral process. Electronic voting is used here, but unfortunately, the practice of fraud remains widespread.

Elections can be accompanied by violent protests and violence, and in 2023, the country again faced critical problems when observers reported numerous violations. The country actively uses black PR to discredit its opponents.

Sources: Innovatrics, Assembly Voting, Wikipedia.