November 29, 2015 marked a historic day in Burkina Faso, as the freest, fairest and most competitive elections took place since the country’s independence from France in 1960. Burkinabe have awaited this day since massive demonstrations in October 2014 drove out former president Blaise Compaoré, who first came to power in a coup d’état in 1987. From November 2014, a transitional government led the country in preparation for joint presidential and legislative elections scheduled for October 11, 2015.

Millions of Burma’s citizens went to the polls yesterday to vote in the country’s most competitive elections since 1990, and the first national elections in 25 years to see the major opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), participate. Ninety-one parties registered over 6,000 candidates who competed for seats in the national legislature, in regional and state legislatures, and to represent ethnic groups in their states or regions.

Nearly six months after sustained citizen protests demanding increased government accountability for corruption, Guatemalans elected former comedian and actor Jimmy Morales to serve as the country’s next president last month. Campaigning with the slogan “not corrupt, not a thief,” political newcomer Morales defeated Former First Lady Sandra Torres with 67 percent of the votes in the October 25 run-off election.