All the big elections to look out for in 2026

EXPLAINER

In 2026, there will be national elections in more than 40 nations, each with a population of 1.6 billion people.

Nearly one-fifth of the world’s population will be influenced by these elections, including general, presidential, and parliamentary elections. The outcomes will affect global alliances, economic strategies, and domestic policies.

What are the key elections to watch for each month, along with their political implications, are provided below.

January

Ugandan elections on January 15th.
Portugal‘s 18th January presidential elections

February

Thailand‘s upcoming general elections (8 February)
Bangladesh – February 12 elections general

Bangladesh will hold its first national election since Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule was ended in 2024 by a student-led uprising. Voters will also vote on the “July Charter,” a reform strategy that limits the scope of the executive branch, strengthens the judiciary, and shields law enforcement from political interference.

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 19, 2025, supporters of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader who had been shot in the head, chant slogans as they block Shahbagh Square demanding justice.

Laos parliamentary elections on February 22

March

Elections in Nepal’s general (March 5)

The Gen Z-led protests that suffocated Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli over corruption and economic unrest served as inspiration for the upcoming elections. Many of the protesters have been organizing for voter registration, highlighting how young Nepalese people now have a real chance to influence politics and shape the country’s future.

Slovenian elections are scheduled for March 22.
Elections for President in the Republic of the Congo on March 22

April

Hungary parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 12 (see below).

Hungary’s domestic politics and international alliances will be influenced by the election of 2026. Viktor Orban, a close ally of Russia and ally of the EU, is facing his toughest challenge since winning the Tisza Party’s election in 2010 against Peter Magyar. He has accused the EU of warming up over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With broader implications for European stability and the conflict in Ukraine, the outcome will determine Hungary’s political balance and its position on Russia.

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrive for a joint news briefing, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 2, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo/File Photo — In Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2, 2024, the prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arrive for a joint news briefing.

Libyan elections are scheduled for April.
Djibouti – Elections for president (must be held by April)
Parliamentary Cape Verde (Established in April)

May

Colombian presidential elections on May 31

As Gustavo Petro’s term ends and he is unable to seek re-election, Colombians will elect a new president. Sergio Fajardo and Abelardo de la Espriella, both of Petro’s Historic Pact, square off against Ivan Cepeda of Petro’s Historic Pact. Colombia’s ability to advance stalled FARC peace agreements, combat corruption, manage rising violence, and navigate regional challenges posed by neighboring Venezuela will depend on the outcome of the election, which will be crucial for the country’s stability and relationship with the US.

Colombia's new President Gustavo Petro gestures after delivering a speech during his inauguration ceremony at Bolivar Square in Bogota, on August 7, 2022 — Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia, makes a speech at Bolivar Square in Bogota on August 7, 2022.

Elections in Lebanon (expected in May)

The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun will face their first significant democratic test in May. In light of the country’s economic turmoil, the role of Hezbollah will be one of its key factors in the 2026 elections in Lebanon, which will determine its political influence, influence the disarmament debate, and influence the country’s sectarian balance.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and members of the cabinet stand as they attend a cabinet session to discuss the army's plan to disarm Hezbollah, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir — At a cabinet meeting in Baabda, Lebanon, on September 5, 2025, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and cabinet members are seated.

June

Elections in Armenia (June 7):
Algerian elections (must be held by June)

July

Fiji – General elections scheduled for June 2026 to February 2027.

August

Haiti general elections (30 August)

September

Parliamentary elections in Sao Tome and Principe (must be held by September)
Morocco parliamentary elections are scheduled for September.
Russian elections are scheduled for September.

October

Brazil – Fourth annual general election

Brazilians will cast ballots for president, congress, and state governments in October as a result of growing economic uncertainty, increased violent crime, and tense American relations. Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro, will face opposition from incumbent president Lula, who is running for president. The outcomes could reshape Brazil’s relationship with the US, guide its domestic economic and security trajectory, and make this one of Latin America’s most significant elections.

Lula in a blue baseball cap that reads: Brazil for Brazilians. — As he attends a ceremony to announce the start of payments to farmers and fishermen through the Income Transfer Program in Linhares, Espirito Santo state, Brazil, on July 11, 2025 [Ricardo Stuckert/Brazilian Presidency/Handout via Reuters]

Israel parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 27 but are likely to occur sooner.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister with the longest tenure, will face a historic battle to survive in 2026. Netanyahu may hold a snap election as early as June even though the legal deadline for elections is October 27. The Likud party of Netanyahu is increasingly under fire both domestically and internationally for its involvement in the genocidal war in Gaza.

Elections for the Bosnia and Herzegovina general elections are scheduled for October.
Elections for the Bahamas’ president (must be held by October)

November

United States – Midterm elections on November 3rd.

In the upcoming US midterm elections, all 435 House seats and 35 out of 100 Senate seats will be up for grabs. These elections have significant implications for American governance, as they will determine who will control Congress. Donald Trump’s ability to wield significant power for the remainder of his presidency will depend greatly on the outcomes.