STOCKHOLM: Voters in many countries are suffering a crisis of faith in their democracies and institutions, a survey by a governance watchdog showed, painting a bleak picture in a year in which more than half of the world’s population holds elections.
With the United States, India, Britain and the European Union going to the polls in 2024, the report published on Thursday by the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) offers a somber snapshot of the perceived health of many democracies.
The results show that voters in 11 of the 19 countries surveyed, which included the US and India, fewer than half of the people believed the most recent election was free and fair.
Only voters in Denmark believed courts “always” or “often” provide access to justice, while in 8 of 19 countries, more people had favorable views of “a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with parliament or elections” than had unfavorable views.
“Democracies must respond to the skepticism of their public, both by improving governance and by combating the growing culture of disinformation that has fostered false accusations against credible elections,” International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora said in a statement.
This year’s presidential election in the United States is likely to see incumbent Democrat Joe Biden face off again against ex-president Donald Trump, who falsely claimed widespread voter fraud when he lost the presidency in 2020.
The survey showed that only 47 percent of respondents in the United States expressed faith that the country had credible electoral processes.
Elections for Europe’s parliament which take place in June could see big gains for the far-right and impact policy from support for Ukraine in its war against Russia’s full-scale invasion to measures to address climate change.
In February, the parliament condemned what it called Russian attempts to undermine European democracy.
The survey, conducted between July 2023 and January 2024, polled about 1,500 people in each of 19 countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, The Gambia, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Korea and Tanzania.
Poll shows voters in many countries, including Pakistan, skeptical of democracy
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Poll shows voters in many countries, including Pakistan, skeptical of democracy
- Survey organization asks democracies to respond to skepticism by improving governance, combating disinformation
- Only 47 percent of respondents in the US expressed faith that their country had credible electoral processes
Saudi company eyes multi-sector projects in Pakistan worth $200 million each — ministry
- Delegation from Saudi firm Kyan explores investment in energy, mining, IT and agriculture
- Talks come amid Pakistan’s push to attract Gulf capital and boost foreign investment inflows
ISLAMABAD: A Saudi company is exploring potential multi-sector investment projects in Pakistan with an estimated minimum value of $200 million per scheme, Pakistan’s ministry of information said on Wednesday.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to attract increased foreign direct investment from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to stabilize its economy, improve investor confidence and expand industrial capacity. Saudi Arabia has in recent years pledged billions of dollars in potential investments across Pakistan’s mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, though several projects remain at exploratory or negotiation stages.
According to the ministry of Information, a delegation from Saudi firm Kyan visited Islamabad and expressed interest in investing in sectors including energy, mining, information technology, agriculture and livestock. The delegation participated in the “Indus AI Week” organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and held meetings with Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.
“The delegation shared proposals for various potential projects with an estimated minimum investment of USD 200 million for each project and also conveyed their interest in bringing additional Saudi investors to Pakistan,” the information ministry said.
Welcoming the delegation, Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s market size and geographic position.
“With a population of over 250 million, Pakistan represents a large and dynamic market,” the minister said, adding that the country’s location provides access to landlocked Central Asian states, making it an attractive hub for regional trade and investment.
The ministry statement said the Board of Investment offered facilitation through its Business Facilitation Center, which provides a single-window mechanism for investor approvals and coordination. Sheikh also assured the delegation of support in arranging meetings with the business community and visits to Special Economic Zones, where incentives include income tax and import duty exemptions.
The minister referred to recent engagements between Pakistani and Saudi officials and reiterated that both countries could work to unlock new avenues of bilateral investment and economic cooperation, according to the statement.
Saudi Arabia is among Pakistan’s largest sources of worker remittances and has emerged as a key partner in Islamabad’s efforts to secure external financing and long-term investment commitments in recent years.
