Voters were presented with just one state-sanctioned candidate per seat. They cast their ballots to show their approval or, very rarely, disapproval.
Asia articles on Democracy Chronicles
View news about the struggle for democracy on the continent of Asia where giants of China and India hover large. Asia represents a huge portion of the human race where both some of the best and worst governments coexist. Also see our World Democracy section!
Indonesia Guilty Verdict in Case About WhatsApp Messages is Mistake
Indonesia’s Judiciary Commission should review the prosecution of Saidah Saleh Syamlan for criminal defamation in the Surabaya district court.
Indonesian Rights Activist Arrest is Reminder of Authoritarian Past
Arrest of Indonesian rights activist, member of Amnesty International Indonesia, and Jakarta State University lecturer, is reminder of authoritarian past.
The Russian Science Keeping Dead Dictators Looking Fresh
Perhaps none of the communist legacies shared by Vietnam and North Korea highlighted during Kim Jong Un’s “goodwill visit” to Hanoi.
KFC Dedicates China Restaurant to Memory of Communist Hero
KFC is memorializing a popular Communist hero with restaurant decor extolling his deeds, in matching of an iconic American brand with Communist propaganda.
Facebook Prohibits Foreign-Funded Ads in Indonesia Election
Facebook says it will not allow foreign-funded advertisements for an upcoming presidential election in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy.
UN Urges Social Media to Promote Human Rights in Myanmar
Social media firms and foreign investors must do more to ensure they support human rights in Myanmar, U.N. Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Tuesday.
Cambodia: No Release for Opposition Leader Kem Sokha
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha has spent more than 18 month in detention, with other opposition leaders decrying his case as politically motivated.
China Rubber-Stamp Congress Meeting is Not About Legislating
Thousands of delegates from around China are gathering in Beijing for annual session of the country’s rubber-stamp legislature and its advisory body.
Thai Lawmakers Approve Controversial Cybersecurity Act
Thailand’s legislature has passed a cybersecurity bill that would allow authorities access to people’s personal information without a court order.