Up to 17 countries in the Asia-Pacific, all the way from mainland South-east Asia to the Gulf, are going to the polls in 2004. That makes for nearly 1.2 billion people casting their votes -- in polls for presidents, parliaments and legislatures. For some countries, this year's elections will be special: Afghanis will be setting up their new government after the ouster of the Taliban in November 2001, and Indonesia, with the world's largest Muslim population, will hold its first-ever direct vote for president. From Iran to the Philippines, it is a year that heralds an opportunity for change, one that the voters will cast their verdict on.