India is gearing up for the world’s largest elections, with nearly a billion people eligible to vote in the general elections scheduled to take place over almost seven weeks starting from April 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be vying for a record-equalling third consecutive term in office.
The elections will decide the fate of 543 seats in India’s Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, and will continue until June 4, covering the vast and diverse terrain of the country. Over 2,400 political parties are expected to field candidates for the elections.
Here are some key facts about India’s general elections, widely recognized as the world’s largest democratic exercise:
- Almost 970 million Indians are registered to vote across more than a million polling stations nationwide.
- The Election Commission of India will enlist the support of nearly 15 million government employees, including teachers and junior workers, to facilitate the electoral process.
- The elections will be conducted in 7 phases, with voting to take place on different dates across the country.
- Votes will be counted and results are expected to be announced on June 4, with the entire election process slated to be completed by June 6.
India’s general elections are a monumental undertaking, reflecting the country’s commitment to democracy and the participation of its vast population in shaping its political landscape.