On April 19, 2024, India kicked off one of the largest democratic elections in the world with over 900 million Indians expected to head to the national polls to elect a new government for the next five years. This will be decisive since the Narendra Modi-led government will be seeking a third consecutive term. The key contenders battling for 543 seats across the nation will be the BJP-led coalition and Congress-led INDI Alliance.
The present government has often been criticized for muzzling the critical media, eroding judicial independence, and using government agencies to jail political opponents. The highest profile arrest was that of Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amongst other Aam Admi Party (AAP) members on allegations of corruption, a month before the start of elections. However, the ruling party itself was embroiled in the issue of political funding through electoral bonds now deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Farmers, especially from Punjab, took to streets in February 2024 against the government for the second time, demanding higher guaranteed prices for their produce. However, the protest fizzled out within weeks. One of the biggest highlights of Modi’s second term was kicking off 2024 with the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, fulfilling a years-old promise made by the Hindu nationalist party and solidifying the party’s Hindu vote base.
Despite being the fifth-largest economy with around an eight percent growth rate, unemployment and inflation remain key challenges for the country in public opinion. The fruits of this booming economy are mostly seen in the country’s urban landscape as compared to the countryside. Most farmers and agricultural laborers view big businesses as the major beneficiaries under the Modi regime.
One pre-poll survey also suggested a rise in dissatisfaction with the government as compared to a post-election survey in 2019. However, Modi’s popularity at domestic and world levels remains unchallenged. Fueled by his popularity, the BJP highlights India’s position as a rising global leader as its key achievement, quoting its successful hosting of the G20 summit, and evacuation of its citizens stuck in Ukraine after Russia’s attack. The eyes of the world will be on this mammoth electoral exercise as India begins its first phase of voting.
Magnitude of Indian elections
From the high peaks of the Himalayas to even the remote forests, votes will be cast electronically across the length and breadth of the country. India’s electoral rules specify that there must be a polling station within two kilometers of every habitation, amounting to over a million polling stations across the nation. Voting will be conducted in seven phases and will last until June 1. The elections are also expected to be the most expensive in the world.High profile arrests to farmer protests: Run-up to elections
The BJP’s resounding victory in three state assembly elections in December 2023 provided a boost to the incumbent party, whereas the southern state of Telangana was the only victory for the opposition INC. Apart from political battlegrounds, various events laid the groundwork for the national elections.The present government has often been criticized for muzzling the critical media, eroding judicial independence, and using government agencies to jail political opponents. The highest profile arrest was that of Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal amongst other Aam Admi Party (AAP) members on allegations of corruption, a month before the start of elections. However, the ruling party itself was embroiled in the issue of political funding through electoral bonds now deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Farmers, especially from Punjab, took to streets in February 2024 against the government for the second time, demanding higher guaranteed prices for their produce. However, the protest fizzled out within weeks. One of the biggest highlights of Modi’s second term was kicking off 2024 with the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, fulfilling a years-old promise made by the Hindu nationalist party and solidifying the party’s Hindu vote base.
Pre-poll opinions on key issues
A flurry of pre-poll surveys across the country has suggested victory for the BJP-led coalition with different margins. Except for the southern states, the party is expected to gain a majority in almost all regions across the country, especially in the Hindi heartland.Despite being the fifth-largest economy with around an eight percent growth rate, unemployment and inflation remain key challenges for the country in public opinion. The fruits of this booming economy are mostly seen in the country’s urban landscape as compared to the countryside. Most farmers and agricultural laborers view big businesses as the major beneficiaries under the Modi regime.
One pre-poll survey also suggested a rise in dissatisfaction with the government as compared to a post-election survey in 2019. However, Modi’s popularity at domestic and world levels remains unchallenged. Fueled by his popularity, the BJP highlights India’s position as a rising global leader as its key achievement, quoting its successful hosting of the G20 summit, and evacuation of its citizens stuck in Ukraine after Russia’s attack. The eyes of the world will be on this mammoth electoral exercise as India begins its first phase of voting.
