Elections Offer Hope
Despite persistent rumors up until Election Day that they would be cancelled or postponed, Pakistan's elections took place as scheduled, May 11. Turnout was the highest since 1970, as millions defied terrorist threats of polling day violence, and waited in line to vote. From Islamabad, Ameena Ilahi and Gareth Aicken write: "These were the elections which many did not expect to see in Pakistan. Around 50 million citizens took part in this historical event: the first time a successful transition from one democratically elected government to another has taken place." Also, Nadine Ragonjan and Hyro Domado blog from the Philippines on their generally peaceful elections, and chief economist Véronique Salze-Lozac'h writes: "United efforts, not boycotts, will help Bangladesh's garment workers." Read more.
