With more than 968 million voters, it will be a Festival of Democracy
Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 17, 2024
India’s Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that the country’s general election will be held from April 19, 2024 and set in motion the world’s largest electoral exercise, involving huge machinery of people, materials and electronic systems that would be historic and unimaginable.
The polling process will be conducted in seven phases, accounting for more than 968 million eligible voters casting their ballots at more than 1.2 million booths across the country. People who are 85 years of age and above and disabled people will have the option of exercising their franchise from their homes. More than 15 million security and other personnel will be employed to ensure free and fair elections. Minimum facilities such as drinking water and toilets will be made available at all polling stations.
The First phase will be held on April 19, followed by the remaining phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
Counting will immediately thereafter and the results will be announced on June 4.
Mr Kumar said that extensive use of digital technology and Mobile Apps including Know Your Candidate will be available to all the voters to ensure that they have easy access to all information.
India’s political system
India has a bicameral legislature and follows a multiparty system although there are two main parties at the national level- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. Elections are held every five years to elect members to the Lok Sabha or the Lower House of Parliament. There are currently 543 seats in this House. The BJP leads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprising regional political parties, while the Congress leads the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
Narendra Modi, who has been the Prime Minister since 2014 leads the BJP and is seeking a third term, which observers say will be easy because of his record performance on various fronts, the most impressive of which has been in economic development and foreign policy.
The Upper House, called the Rajya Sabha, has a maximum of 250 members of which 238 are elected through Legislatures of States and Union Territories using a Single Transferable Vote through open ballots, while the President of India can appoint 12 people for their contributions to art, literature, science and social service.
Rajya Sabha currently has 245 members, after the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Act 2019.
Mr Kumar said that the Election Commission will conduct local Assembly election for Andhra Pradesh (May 13), Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (April 19) and Odisha (May 13).
Model Code of Conduct
Mr Kumar also issued a Model Code of Conduct (MCC), based on a similar code issued in the past to maintain decorum and decency during the election campaign.
“I urge parties to refrain from personal attacks and foul language. No-go areas in speeches are defined to maintain civility. Let us not cross lines in our rivalry. We have issued an advisory to the political parties and they are encouraged to foster a political discourse that inspires rather than divides,” he said.
Mr Kumar said that the Election Commission will follow zero-tolerance on this issue.
“We will not sit back when cases of violation are reported. We will take action against anyone, however renowned they may be. The MCC is a set of conventions agreed upon by all stakeholders and imposed during elections. Its objective is to keep the campaigning, polling and counting process orderly, clean and peaceful and check any abuse of state machinery and finances by the party in power,” he said.
Battle of Ideologies
The BJP won 303 seats in the 2019 election, while the NDA won 353 seats. The Congress won only 52 seats, less than 10% of the total and hence failed to become the official Leader of the Opposition. The United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress won 91 seats, while other parties won 98 seats.
The opposition bloc- INDIA has an uphill task in the ensuing election.
General Election 2024 marks a crucial phase in Indian politics, which is witnessing a battle of ideologies between the two main Parties. Observers say that nine key issues dominate the election scene. These are 1. Modi Ki Guarantee 2. Congress Nyay Guarantee 3. Unemployment and Inflation 4. CAA, Abrogation of Article 370 5. Ram Mandir 6. Electoral Bonds 7. Amrit Kaal Vs Anyay Kaal 8. Farmer Issues, Minimum Support Price and 9. Clash of Ideologies
Mr Modi has said that his government is determined to make India a developed and self-sufficient nation by 2047. He calls it Viksit Bharat.
“This vision will be a guiding principle for India during its Amrit Kaal (25 years leading to fully-developed status). With a combination of social changes, technical innovations, and economic reforms, I hope to raise India’s position at the global level. This vision has many components, from economic growth to all-inclusive development and imbibing technological innovation,” he said.
Fully Developed Nation
A key objective of Viksit Bharat is to enable every citizen to participate in the economy.
“India should become strong, inclusive and full of job and entrepreneurial opportunities. This entails implementing policies to encourage investment, advance economic growth, and foster innovation across various industries. The government’s dedication to creating an environment favourable for business expansion and employment generation is demonstrated by the focus on programmes such as Made in India, Digital India, and Startup India. With the support of digitisation, homegrown manufacturing, and a thriving startup community, I hope to raise millions out of poverty and realise the nation’s full economic potential,” he said.
BJP President J P Nadda said his Party will form the next government at the Centre with an overwhelming majority under Mr Modi’s leadership and work with determination to fulfil people’s aspirations in the next five years.
In a post on X in Hindi, he called on the people of India to vote in record numbers and further strengthen the foundation of the world’s largest democracy.
Festival of Democracy
“I welcome the announcement of Lok Sabha Election 2024 by the Election Commission. Elections are the biggest festival of democracy and a medium to keep the country and the state moving on the path of development and good governance. I call upon the people of the entire country to vote in record numbers and further strengthen the foundation of the world’s largest democracy,” he said.
The Congress Party launched its ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ (India Unity and Justice March), commonly called, ‘Nyay Yatra’ on January 14, 2024 with its Leader Rahul Gandhi at the forefront of the march covering the East and West of India.
The campaign was the Party’s electoral engagement.
Party President Mallikarjun Kharge described the forthcoming election as ‘the last chance to save democracy.’
Reiterating his ‘NYAY’ slogan for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 and called it a last chance to save democracy. “2024 Lok Sabha Election will open the ‘Door of NYAY’ for India. This would be perhaps the last chance to save Democracy and our Constitution from Dictatorship. ‘We the people of India’ will together fight against hatred, loot, unemployment, price rise, and atrocities,” he said.
