India's general elections, launched on Friday, are one of the largest democratic exercises in the world. Nearly 1 billion voters are set to decide whether incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can secure a third term in office.
The Election Process
The Indian parliament comprises two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). In this election cycle, voters will cast ballots for 543 seats in the Lok Sabha using a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins. The party or coalition that secures a majority will form the government.
With over 960 million eligible voters and more than 1 million polling stations, the logistics of this election are monumental. Approximately 15 million polling officials and security personnel have been deployed to ensure a smooth voting process. The elections will span seven phases, concluding on June 1, with results expected on June 4.
Key Issues at Stake
Prime Minister Modi, who first took office in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019, aims to lead the BJP to win over 400 seats in the upcoming elections. Despite significant economic growth over the past decade, critics argue that the benefits have not been evenly distributed across society. The \"Make in India\" initiative, which intended to boost manufacturing from 16% to 25% of the economy, has fallen short, contributing to persistently high unemployment rates.
A recent survey by the Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies highlighted that over half of the respondents are concerned about rising prices and job scarcity. Additionally, farmers have been protesting, demanding a law to guarantee minimum crop prices, pensions, and debt waivers.
The Opposition's Challenge
The main opposition, the Indian National Congress, has a long-standing presence in Indian politics but faced a significant defeat against the BJP in 2014. In 2023, 26 opposition parties formed the INDIA coalition to challenge the BJP's dominance. Notably, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, a key figure in the INDIA alliance, was arrested in March on corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated. This move has sparked protests from various opposition parties and civic groups.
The Congress party has also accused the federal government of using the tax department to impede their election funding, further intensifying the political climate as the elections approach.
A Pivotal Moment for the World's Largest Democracy
As India heads to the polls, the outcome will not only shape the nation's future but also have significant implications for global politics and economic trends. With a vast and diverse electorate, the results of these elections are eagerly watched by young global citizens, business enthusiasts, thought leaders, and policy makers around the world.
Reference(s):
Explainer: What you need to know about India's general elections
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