What is the World Voting For?

WHAT IS THE WORLD VOTING FOR? In 2014 over 1.7 billion eligible voters could participate in the 58 parliamentary or presidential national elections across the world. Up to 30% of these voters may be Christian. How much will their faith in the King of kings affect the way they vote? 100% Christian. • Turkey This year's presidential election will be the first time a president is elected by the people through a popular vote rather than through parliament. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been Prime Minister since 2003, will be the main contender and has shown greater authoritarianism in recent days. Tension is on the rise in Turkey, especially since the recent mining disaster. • Indonesia Islamic authorities want to see a strong candidate emerge from the variety of Islamic parties in Indonesia. However, the most likely contenders at this point are Joko Widodo, Govenor of Jakarta, Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, and Aburizal Bakrie, a businessman.? Elections Facing Significant Conflict Some of the elections in 2014 are set in an environment of extreme tension. Assessments were determined by GMI staff based on a variety of factors indicating a high level of tension within the country. Nine countries on this map are identified. Of those nine, six are South Africa This year's elections will be the first election since the death of Nelson Mandela. The current president, Jacob Zuma, has overseen the de- cline in the African National Congress and is playing tribal politics to catch up. The weakening ANC and rising uncertainty may be the undoing of Mandela's "Rainbow Revolution."3 V Election in 2014 V Story Highlight on the OpenDoors World Watch List for high persecution level of Christians. Of all the nine conflict Election Conflict countries: For Congress Praying for God's influence in the elections 1. Pray that Christians will be involved to exactly the extent God wants them to be, not taking elections too lightly or too seriously. 2. Pray for Christians to distinguish their personal voting preferences from God's will, and to vote for God's will. 3. Pray that Christian politicians will be a force for justice and God's love as they stand for office, and that God will give them courage. 4. Pray for peace surrounding each polling place so that every citizen can vote without fear, and pray that bullying tactics will turn voters against the bullies. 63% For Constitutional Assembly was the turnout of the last major election in those countries A For Federal Gov. For Legislative Gov. 16% For National Assembly is the percentage of Christians living in those countries For Parliament I For President Sources: Wikipedia, International Idea, World Watch List, Operation World 7th Edition, Footnote 1: Daily Sabah, Footnote 2: WSJ, Footnote 3: Washington Post To find more infographics Brought to you by our sponsor: MASTER'S IN STSM from GMI visit www.cityvision.edu/mstsm Science, Technology, Society and Ministry gmi www.missiographics.com Christian Population Kjenuer BANGLADESH February COSTA RICA O LIBYA March COLUMBIA I EL SALVADOR NORTH KOREA O MALDIVES O SLOVAKIA SERBIA O April MALTA AFGHANISTAN COSTA RICA HUNGARY O - GUINEA-BISSAU ALGERIA + MACEDONIA • · IRAQ O PANAMA O SOUTH AFRICA O ▪ INDIA O - GUINEA-BISSAU 0+ IMVIVW BELGIUM A COLOMBIA . LITHUANIA + - EGYPT AFGHANISTAN . UKRAINE + June July August September October November December