APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia together with Bhargav Reddy and Carol Librojo discuss the general elections in India, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Paul is one of Asia Pacific’s most versatile security and disaster management professionals. Paul has held various demanding roles in military and civil positions. He is a rare expert in the risk management sector with an advanced commercial acumen. Paul has an extensive network throughout South Asia, SE Asia, North Asia, and the Pacific Islands. His network includes business executives, contractors for various industry sectors, government personnel, international agencies, and armed forces.
Carol Librojo heads our analytical team. She mentors our researchers and analysts while guiding the production of APAC-A reports and publications. Her career background included more than 20 years of service in the Philippines’ intelligence and national security sector. Carol holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration. Her career background included more than 20 years of service in the Philippines’ intelligence and national security sector. She once headed the monitoring and assessment unit of the Philippines’ National Security Council-Secretariat. She also served as Assistant to the Undersecretary of the Presidential Situation Room, a unit that provides round-the-clock news monitoring and intelligence updates to the Philippine President.
Bhargav Reddy leads South Asia operations of APAC Assistance. He graduated from the Queen Mary University of London with a master’s in International Business and Politics. His most recent experience was with Pinkerton as an Intelligence Specialist for APAC and EMEA regions.
The general elections in India were held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes is underway and the results are expected on 23 May. The exit polls have indicated that the ruling BJP is likely to return to power with an overwhelming majority. The BJP led by Prime Minister Modi had won the general elections in 2014 after defeating the Congress Party which was in power since 2004.
The Thai Elections were held on March 24. It was the first election since the 2014 military intervention that installed General Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister. The election results are expected to be formalized on May 22.
The Philippine Senatorial Elections were conducted on May 13. Those elected in this midterm election will take office on June 30, midway through the term of President Rodrigo Duterte. The mid-term elections were a referendum of Duterte’s governance and his controversial policies which include his war on drugs.
The Indonesia Elections were held on April 17. This is the first time in Indonesia’s election history that the president, the vice president, members of the People’s Consultative Assembly, and members of local legislative bodies were elected on the same day. Elections results are expected on May 22 while the quick count of votes shows a clear victory for President Widodo. The final official count of the General Election Commission (KPU) shows President Joko Widodo winning with 55.5% of votes against the 44.5% of his challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto. The KPU released the official results of the April presidential election early today. Widodo won over 85 million of the total 154 million votes. The results, however, could trigger a legal challenge and potential street protests after Prabowo claimed widespread cheating.