Original sentence: In 2013, a spate of anti-government protests and counter measures took place.The 2014 local elections are the first elections since the protests, and have thus been seen as a test for the government's popularity following a criticism both domestically and internationally for what was perceived to be a crackdown on peaceful protestors
Edited sentence: In 2013, a spate of anti-government protests and counter-repression occurred.The 2014 local elections are the first elections since the protests, and have thus been seen as a test for the government's popularity following a huge criticism both domestically and internationally for what was perceived to be a brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors