US Election 2024: Global Anticipation As Americans Head to the Polls

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- With just hours to go before Americans head to the polls, global attention including in Malaysia, is focused on the United States (US) presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 

The high-stakes contest between Harris, 60, and Trump, 78, has also kept global audiences on edge, acknowledging that the choice of the US president will significantly influence economic, security, and diplomatic relations across continents.

Media outlets are framing the  election as a turning point not only for the US but also for the world at large. 

The BBC, on its live coverage page, reports that this election is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent memory, with national polls and surveys in key battleground states showing razor-thin margins.

“I’ve been covering American politics for a good long while at this point. I’ve never seen a presidential election quite as close as this one. 

“Tomorrow, the polls become irrelevant. The American voters will have their say - and don’t be shocked if there are some surprises in store,” wrote BBC’s North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Al Jazeera’s live updates provides a broader perspective, reporting on the US election amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Reuters, with the headline “Trump, Harris make final pitch in Pennsylvania on eve of historic US vote”, highlighted the high-stakes final campaign push across one of the swing states.

“This election cycle has seen dramatic twists, including two assassination attempts and Trump’s felony conviction, as well as Harris’ unexpected rise to the top of the Democratic ticket after Biden stepped down.

“Pennsylvania, holding the largest Electoral College share among battleground states, has become a key focal point, with both candidates rallying last-minute support ahead of the Election Day,” according to the report.

France 24, on its website, highlights the importance of Election Day as a pivotal moment that could reshape the US Congress.

The report pointed out that on Nov 5, voters will not only choose between Kamala Harris and  Trump for president but will also vote on key Congressional seats, gubernatorial races, referendums, and local officials.

“All 435 House seats are up for grabs, along with 34 Senate seats, potentially determining which party controls Congress. 

“Thousands of local offices, including positions for mayors, judges, and sheriffs, are also up for election,” said the brief report.

Singapore-based Channel NewsAsia (CNA) highlights on its website that the November 5 vote may take days to yield a winner in what could be a historically close race.

“Under the US system, citizens do not vote directly for their leader. Instead, their ballots elect the 538 members of a group called the Electoral College, which then elects the president and vice president.

“But with this year's race going down to the wire, experts point to a growing risk of delays and complications, such as legal challenges over the vote count,” the report stated.

As the US approaches its election day, the world watches intently, fully aware that the results will reverberate for years to come. 

This historic vote may well shape not just a presidency but the trajectory of global politics in the 21st century.

-- BERNAMA