Polls commenced on Friday for the initial and most extensive phase of India’s marathon general election, marking the beginning of a voting process where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is vying for an unusual third consecutive term.
With a staggering 969 million eligible voters, this election stands as the largest in human history. Over the course of the next six weeks, polling will unfold in seven phases across the world’s most populous nation.
This nationwide electoral exercise is deemed one of the most pivotal in decades, as Modi’s influential right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims for an outright majority, seeking a mandate to further its development and Hindu-nationalist agenda, which has been forged over its decade-long governance.
Under BJP’s tenure, India has undergone significant economic and cultural transformations, witnessing a shift from its secular roots towards Hindu majoritarianism. Modi’s leadership, characterized by infrastructure development, welfare initiatives, fervent Hindu nationalism, and notable economic growth, has elevated India’s global presence.
However, challenges persist, with soaring youth unemployment and inequalities, particularly in rural areas. Critics point to religious polarization under Modi’s leadership, including a rise in Islamophobia and discrimination against the nation’s 230 million Muslims.
Despite these challenges, Modi remains unmatched in popularity for a two-term incumbent, consistently drawing tens of thousands of supporters to his rallies.
As polling stations opened on Friday, Modi issued a message to voters, urging them to exercise their franchise in record numbers. He particularly called upon the youth and first-time voters to participate, emphasizing the significance of each vote and every voice in the democratic process.
Overview of Key Campaign Platforms in India’s General Election
The BJP’s campaign manifesto revolves around key pillars such as job creation, poverty alleviation through expanded food distribution and housing schemes, and national development with a specific focus on marginalized groups like women, the impoverished, farmers, and youth.
Modi envisions India as a global manufacturing hub, aiming to sustain its ongoing infrastructure overhaul and achieve energy self-reliance by 2047. Internationally, he seeks permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council, plans to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics, and aims to land an Indian astronaut on the moon.
Additionally, the BJP pledges to introduce a uniform civil code, aiming to replace diverse religious and customary laws with a unified standard applicable to all, irrespective of faith. While the party assures the protection of women’s rights, concerns have been raised by certain communities regarding potential interference with religious freedoms and customs.
Facing the BJP is the principal opposition, the Indian National Congress, along with its newly formed INDIA alliance. Despite its historical significance, the Congress party has experienced a decline since Modi’s ascent to power, with signs of discord within the INDIA alliance evident through defections and internal conflicts.
The opposition’s strategy hinges on a united front to counter the BJP’s dominance. The Congress party’s campaign emphasizes “freedom from fear” and pledges to safeguard democratic values enshrined in the constitution, including freedom of speech, expression, and religious belief.
Their manifesto underscores principles of justice, equality, and welfare, promising recognition of civil partnerships for LGBTQ+ couples, protection of religious minorities, and empowerment of women. Criticizing the erosion of democratic values under the BJP, the Congress vows to restore media freedom, strengthen the independence of electoral bodies, and review legislation passed without adequate parliamentary scrutiny.
Notably, India’s Election Commission has imposed restrictions on media outlets, limiting their ability to publish reporting and analysis during the election period.
Electoral Practices in India’s General Election
In the monumental democratic exercise that is India’s general election, voters across the nation are currently engaged in the crucial task of electing representatives to fill 543 seats in the lower house of parliament, known as the Lok Sabha. Additionally, two seats are nominated by the country’s president, adding further weight to the electoral process.
The outcome of this electoral endeavor holds significant ramifications, as the party that secures a majority will form the government and designate one of its successful candidates as the prime minister.
The voting process unfolds across 21 states and union territories, with voters exercising their franchise electronically. However, owing to the sheer size and diversity of India, the voting period spans seven phases, with some states undergoing polling on a single day, while others, such as the politically pivotal Uttar Pradesh, engage in voting across all seven phases. Uttar Pradesh, home to a staggering 240 million people, commands attention as a crucial battleground, boasting 80 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs.
Simultaneously, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, particularly in its capital Chennai, the regional Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party and the INDIA alliance are engaged in a fierce battle to thwart the BJP’s historical challenges in penetrating this region.
West Bengal, with its 102 million inhabitants and 42 Lok Sabha seats, is another state under the spotlight, initiating its voting process across all seven phases. The BJP faces an uphill struggle in this state, traditionally governed by the All India Trinamool Congress, led by the formidable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Amidst the electoral fervor, Indian cinema icon Rajinikanth was captured casting his vote in Chennai, amidst a backdrop adorned with pink balloons and blue drapes, symbolizing the colorful essence of democracy. Rajinikanth’s enduring legacy in South Indian cinema, spanning over 160 movies, adds a touch of celebrity glamour to the electoral process.
Further north, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, voters eagerly queued outside polling stations, with one bride making a poignant statement by exercising her voting rights early on her wedding day. Draped in a traditional red lehenga and adorned with diamond jewelry, she expressed her support for her uncle, a candidate in the election, emphasizing the fundamental right of every citizen to participate in the electoral process.
The democratic spirit extends even to the remote corners of the country, as voters in Arunachal Pradesh, nestled amidst the Himalayan foothills, trek through forests to reach polling stations. In Meghalaya, election workers navigate lakes while carrying large ballot boxes, symbolizing the dedication to uphold democratic principles even in challenging terrains.
The significance of democratic participation is evident even in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, inhabited by indigenous tribes from some of the world’s most isolated communities.
As the voting process unfolds, India’s Meteorological Department issues warnings of heatwave conditions in certain regions, including parts of West Bengal and Puducherry, contrasting with forecasts of severe rain in areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Despite these challenges, the spirit of democracy prevails as citizens across the nation exercise their right to vote, shaping the future trajectory of the world’s largest democracy.
