The 2024 Indian general election is a significant event in the country’s democratic landscape. Scheduled to take place from 19th April to 1st June 2024, this election aims to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this momentous electoral process:
1. Election Schedule and Phases
- The election will be conducted in seven phases across the nation.
- Voting will commence on 19th April and conclude on 1st June.
- The results will be officially announced on 4th June 202412.
2. Historical Significance
- This election is poised to be the largest-ever in Indian history, surpassing the 2019 general election.
- Approximately 970 million eligible voters out of a population of 1.44 billion will participate in this democratic exercise1.
- The duration of the election, spanning 44 days, is second only to the 1951–52 Indian general election1.
3. Key Players and Parties
- India operates under a multi-party system, with two major political entities dominating the national stage:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.
- Indian National Congress (INC): The principal opposition party.
- The incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, seeks a third consecutive term in office.
4. Electoral System
- Elections to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) occur once every five years as mandated by Article 83 of the Indian Constitution.
- First-past-the-post voting determines the outcome in each of the 543 constituencies.
- The 104th constitutional amendment abolished the two reserved seats for the Anglo-Indian community.
- Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, ordinary residents of their polling area, and registered to vote.
- For the 2024 election, 968 million people are eligible to vote, an increase of about 150 million from the 2019 election1.
5. Simultaneous State Assembly Elections
- Alongside the general election, state assembly elections will be held in:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Odisha
- Sikkim
- Additionally, by-elections for 35 seats across 16 states will take place.
In conclusion, the 2024 Indian general election represents a crucial moment for the nation, shaping its political landscape and determining the course of governance for the next term. With millions of voters exercising their democratic rights, India stands at the crossroads of its future
