Around two billion people are eligible to vote this year, but that doesn't necessarily mean their opinions will be taken into account by the governments they elect. Amid concern over growing authoritarianism, repression and misinformation, the UN is promoting forms of governance that are inclusive, and accountable.
In this bumper election year of over 60 elections, around a quarter of the entire world population are taking part in polls but, whilst democracy remains overwhelmingly popular, many people feel that their voices are not being heard, even if they live in historically democratic countries.
Initiatives such as citizen's assemblies, some of which are supported by the UN, are seen by some as a way of giving more people direct involvement in the democratic process, and empowering communities in the process.
UN News brought together two experts to discuss the power of citizen's assemblies, and the role of the UN in democratic governance: Sarah Lister, the Head of Governance at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Iain Walker, the CEO of newDemocracy, which has organized several citizen's assemblies.
