Introduction
India has once again etched its name in the annals of democracy with the successful conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The world's largest democratic exercise witnessed a historic turnout, breaking global records and reaffirming the nation's unwavering commitment to the democratic process. The Election Commission of India (ECI) orchestrated this monumental feat with precision and efficiency, ensuring a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar (Source- India Today)
The Unprecedented Voter Turnout
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India witnessed a record-breaking 64.2 crore people casting their votes, making it the highest turnout in the world to date. This remarkable achievement was made possible by the active participation of 31 crore women and 33 crore male voters, who exercised their democratic right with enthusiasm and conviction. The ECI paid special tribute to the women voters, who played a pivotal role in this historic event, with a remarkable 312 million women casting their ballots, surpassing the 2019 figures and setting a new global record for the highest number of female voters in an election.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar, hailed the Indian elections as a "miracle" with no parallel in the world. He stated, "We have created a world record of 642 million voters. This is 1.5 times the voters of all G7 countries and 2.5 times the voters of 27 countries in the European Union." The contribution of voters aged 85 and above was particularly inspiring, as they have witnessed India's journey from before independence and have shaped the country with their contributions over the past seven decades.
The Chief Election Commissioner highlighted that seizures of Rs 10,000 crore, including cash, freebies, drugs, and liquor were made during the 2024 polls compared to Rs 3,500 crore in 2019.
Additional Comments
On social media, memes have humorously dubbed election commissioners as 'Laapataa Gentlemen'. Mr. Kumar responded, "We were always here, never went missing." He added, "Now memes can say the 'Laapataa Gentlemen' are back." Mr. Kumar highlighted the logistical efforts for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, mentioning the use of nearly four lakh vehicles, 135 special trains, and 1,692 air sorties. He also noted a significant reduction in repolls, with only 39 in 2024 compared to 540 in 2019.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) further reported that Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest voter turnout in four decades at 58.58%, with 51.05% in the Valley. He also pointed out the substantial increase in seizures during the 2024 polls, amounting to ₹10,000 crore, which included cash, freebies, drugs, and liquor, compared to ₹3,500 crore in 2019.
Throughout the seven phases of the elections, numerous success stories emerged. Long queues of voters at polling stations nationwide demonstrated their belief and trust in the democratic process. Voters from all sections of society, including women, youngsters, PVTGs, third gender individuals, PwDs, and senior citizens, participated enthusiastically in the 'Chunav Ka Parv'. Notably, the participation of women saw significant strides, with women voter turnout surpassing male turnout in the fifth and sixth phases. A home-voting facility, introduced for the first time in Lok Sabha elections on a pan-India basis, brought democracy to the doorsteps of those with physical limitations. Many voters aged above 85 years and PwDs with a 40% benchmark disability opted to vote from the comfort of their homes.
The democratic ethos in India is further reflected in the high VTR in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Both Union Territories (UTs) voted in the first phase. Andaman and Nicobar saw a VTR of 64.10%, with the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar participating in a Lok Sabha election for the first time. Lakshadweep recorded a VTR of 84.16%, demonstrating strong trust and belief in democracy, akin to those on the mainland. Over 87% of complaints on the cVigil app were resolved within 100 minutes, reducing campaign clutter and noise as citizens actively curbed money and muscle power in the elections. The Suvidha platform, operating on a First in First Out principle, ensured transparent and timely approval of over 78% of requests from political parties and candidates for rallies, grounds, halls, etc.
In the last phase, Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal went to polls, with a total of 904 candidates contesting.
Regional Highlights
The Lok Sabha elections 2024 witnessed remarkable voter participation across various regions of the country, reflecting the strength and resilience of India's democratic fabric.
Manipur: The state of Manipur saw no major incidents of violence reported, with an impressive voter turnout of 71.96% in Inner Manipur and 51.72% in Outer Manipur. The ECI set up special polling stations in 10 districts, including one in the Tengnoupal district that catered to a single voter, ensuring that every voice was heard.
Jammu and Kashmir: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir experienced the highest voter turnout in a Lok Sabha election in the past 35 years, with an overall participation rate of 58.46 percent. The Kashmir Valley witnessed a significant 30-point increase in voter turnout compared to 2019, with the Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies recording turnouts of 38.49 percent, 59.1 percent, and 54.84 percent, respectively. The high voter turnout, particularly among the youth (over 80 percent of the electorate in each constituency), is a testament to their faith in democracy and a positive development for the region.
Naxal-Affected Areas: In the Naxal-affected Bastar region, 102 villages had polling stations set up within their vicinity, resulting in an unprecedented voter turnout of 68.29 percent, with no incidents of violence reported. This remarkable achievement signifies a victory for the democratic process over the threat of violence and a resounding endorsement of the power of the ballot.
Tribal Participation: The elections witnessed active participation from tribal communities, with 126 villages and 199 hamlets in the Surguja Parliamentary Constituency of North Chhattisgarh, having a significant population of Pahadi Korbas, voting with an overwhelming turnout. Additionally, the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar participated in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, underscoring the inclusive nature of the electoral process.
Technological Innovations
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were marked by the introduction of innovative technological solutions that enhanced the accessibility and transparency of the electoral process.
Home-voting Facility: For the first time in the history of Lok Sabha elections, a home-voting facility was introduced on a pan-India basis, bringing democracy to the doorsteps of those encumbered by physical limitations. Voters aged above 85 years and individuals with disabilities (PwD) with a 40% benchmark disability were able to exercise their right to vote from the comfort of their homes.
cVigil and Suvidha Platform: The cVigil platform empowered citizens to take ownership of the electoral process by reporting campaign violations, with over 87% of complaints being resolved within 100 minutes, reducing campaign clutter and noise. The Suvidha platform ensured transparent and timely approval of over 78% of requests made by political parties and candidates for seeking permissions for rallies, grounds, halls, and other campaign-related activities.
Exit Poll Predictions
The exit polls had predicted a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a projected seat range of 353 to 383. In contrast, the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) bloc was expected to win between 152 to 182 seats, while other parties were expected to secure a smaller number of seats ranging from 4 to 12. The exit polls also suggested that the NDA would secure around 45% of the vote, while the I.N.D.I.A bloc may garner around 40%, and other parties are likely to receive around 15% of the vote.
Conclusion
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India have once again demonstrated the nation's unwavering commitment to democratic values and principles. The record-breaking voter turnout, the active participation of marginalized communities, and the successful implementation of technological innovations have set new benchmarks for democratic processes worldwide. As the world eagerly awaits the final results, India's electoral odyssey serves as a shining example of the power of the people's voice and the resilience of democracy in the face of challenges. The nation's democratic ethos has emerged stronger than ever, inspiring hope and optimism for the future.
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