India is all set for the world’s largest election, which will be held in seven phases—spread over 44 days—from April 19, and the counting of votes will take place on June 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eyeing a third consecutive term while the opposition bloc led by the Congress party remains hit by internal bickerings.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference that 97 crore voters—49.7 crore male and 47.1 crore female—are eligible to cast their votes to elect the 543-member Lok Sabha. Polling will be held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
Elections to four state assemblies—Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha—will also be held along with the general polls. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will go to polls on April 19, and Andhra Pradesh on May 13. Elections to Odisha assembly will be held in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
"The biggest festival of democracy is here! EC has announced the 2024 Lok Sabha election dates. We, the BJP-NDA, are fully prepared for elections," Modi said in a post on X, shortly after the poll commission announced the schedule.
Modi said his party is going to the people on the basis of our track record of good governance and service delivery across sectors.
“I can clearly see that the coming five years will be about our collective resolve of establishing the roadmap that will guide our trajectory as a nation for the next thousand years and make India the embodiment of prosperity, all-round growth and global leadership,” the prime minister said in a series of posts.
Modi promised that the war against poverty and corruption will go on at an even faster pace and that the emphasis on social justice will be strong. “We are going to work towards making India the third largest global economy. We will further cement our effort for fulfilling the dreams of the youth,” he said.
Flanked by the two new Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, CEC Kumar said at the press meet that the parties must refrain from making hate speeches and caste or religious appeals.
"The daunting challenge in conducting free and fair elections is four-fold, the four Ms: muscle, money, misinformation, and MCC (Model Code of Conduct) violations. The Election Commission is committed and has put in place measures to deal with these disruptive challenges," he said.
The BJP enters the election season buoyed by its recent victories in the three state polls, as well as milestones like the consecration of the Ram Temple, the G20 summit, and the passing of the women's reservation law. Also, the party's well-organised machinery contrasts sharply with a fragmented opposition camp.
The opposition INDIA bloc has struggled to present a united face due to various reasons including desertions and the seemingly endless discussions on seat sharing. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the anti-BJP bloc also faces the stiff challenge of finding a narrative strong enough to counter the Hindutva-plus messaging.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the Lok Sabha election was "perhaps the last chance to save democracy and our Constitution from dictatorship".
"The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will open the 'door of Nyay' for India. This would be perhaps the last chance to save democracy and our Constitution from dictatorship, he added.
