India, home to the world’s largest election has commenced election as no fewer than 968 million registered voters prepare to cast their ballots.
The six-week-long election kicked off on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party expected to secure a decisive victory.
In the election, every eligible voter across India’s 28 states and eight union territories will have the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
This election stands as the largest democratic exercise globally, reflecting India’s status as the most populous country.
Spanning over a month and a half, the electoral process demands meticulous logistical planning, with voting conducted over one to several days depending on the state’s population size.
The first phase of voting, which began on Friday, will decide 102 of the 543 constituencies in India’s lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha.
To facilitate this mammoth task, the country has deployed 1.5 million polling booths and five million electronic voting machines.
The voter demographic in India is balanced, with over 968 million people set to vote, comprising both male and female voters. Notably, the youth, including 18 million first-time voters aged 18–19 and 197.4 million voters aged 20–29, play a significant role.
Unemployment ranks among the primary concerns of Indian youth, according to surveys reported by Forbes.
The 2019 general election saw a record-breaking turnout, with approximately 67% of eligible voters casting their ballots, totaling nearly 615 million voters.
India’s expenditure on elections is substantial, with over $8 billion reportedly spent in 2019, highlighting the significance attached to democratic processes.
Helicopters, boats, and even animals like horses, elephants, and mules are used to reach the most inaccessible areas to ensure every voter can participate.
India’s voter turnout is impressive compared to many advanced democracies, indicating confidence in the political process and a desire for change.
Reports suggest a correlation between high voter turnout and sentiment against the ruling party, underscoring the importance of participation in democratic exercises.
As subsequent voting days unfold, leading to the final tallying of votes on June 4, the outcome of this historic event will have profound implications both domestically and internationally.
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