India is currently in the midst of its largest-ever general elections, spanning from April 19 to June 1, 2024, across seven phases. The purpose of this monumental electoral exercise is to elect all 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament.
This election marks a historic moment in Indian democracy, surpassing all previous records in terms of scale and participation. With approximately 970 million eligible voters out of a population of 1.4 billion, the turnout is expected to be massive, representing around 70% of the total population.
Incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term, with his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), facing a formidable challenge from various opposition parties. The election also coincides with legislative assembly elections in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim.
Under India’s electoral system, all 543 MPs are elected from single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post voting method. The recent 104th amendment to the constitution abolished the two seats reserved for the Anglo-Indian community, further streamlining the electoral process.
To participate in the elections, eligible voters must be Indian citizens, 18 years or older, ordinary residents of the polling area, and registered to vote. As the nation eagerly awaits the outcome of this historic electoral exercise, the spotlight remains on the candidates, political parties, and issues that will shape India’s future for years to come.
