On March 16, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the India General Elections 2024 calendar for the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections as well as assembly seats of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.
Mr. Rajiv Kumar announced the schedule in New Delhi for the 543 Lok Sabha seats. The General Elections 2024 will be held in seven rounds from April 19 to June 1. Assembly elections will be held at the same time in the four states mentioned above. By-elections are also held in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
Nearly 970 million Indians, including 471 million women, will vote to elect 543 members of the Lok Sabha, the more powerful lower chamber of Parliament.
The general elections in 2024 will be fought on issues such as mass unemployment, the country’s economic success in the last decade, farmers, the controversial citizenship law, and the right-wing government’s desire for a Hindu-first nation.
Schedule of India General Elections 2024
| Phase | Polling Date | No. of Constituencies | Issue of notification | Last date of nomination | Scrutiny of nominations | Withdrawal of candidature |
| 1 | April 19 | 102 | March 20 | March 28 | March 30 | April 2 |
| 2 | April 26 | 89 | March 28 | April 4 | April 5 | April 8 |
| 3 | May 7 | 94 | April 12 | April 19 | April 20 | April 22 |
| 4 | May 13 | 96 | April 18 | April 25 | April 26 | April 29 |
| 5 | May 20 | 49 | April 26 | May 3 | May 4 | May 6 |
| 6 | May 25 | 57 | April 29 | May 6 | May 7 | May 9 |
| 7 | June 1 | 57 | May 7 | May 14 | May 15 | May 17 |
When is India’s Election?
Indians from 28 states and eight union territories will vote in seven phases. The first phase of voting will be held on April 19, followed by the second phase on April 26; the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth phases on 7, 13, 20 and 25 May; And the final stage on June 1.
More than 2,400 political parties are expected to field candidates for the general election. Ten of which hold 86 percent of the seats in the lower house of parliament.
A party or coalition must secure a simple majority of 272 seats in the lower house of Parliament. In the last election, Mr Modi’s BJP won 303 seats, followed by the main opposition Indian National Congress, which won 52 seats.
Organizing the general election in India has been a Herculean task, owing mostly to the wide geography that runs from the Himalayas in the north to the desert in the west and the coastal areas in the south.
The Election Commission of India, which monitors polling, must ensure that a voting station is available within 2 kilometers of each voter. The poll body has already recruited 15 million government personnel, many of whom are teachers and junior workers, and would have to travel by boat, foot, or even horseback if necessary.
However, India takes great pride in the difficult job, which Mr Modi referred to as the “biggest festival of democracy” during his election campaign.
This is also an expensive process. In 2019, political parties and candidates spent an estimated 7,263.72 in their campaigns, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
How will the election phases work?
While some states will cast their ballots in a single day, voting elsewhere may take longer. Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state by population, with 200 million people, will vote for seven days, as will West Bengal and Bihar to the east.
Elections in the western state of Maharashtra and the federal territory of Jammu & Kashmir will take place on five different days, while Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand will vote in four phases.
Voters in the Indian states of Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh will vote for state legislators at the same time.
Muslim organizations in Kerala’s southern state have requested the poll authority not to hold Elections on Friday to prevent disrupting prayers and causing difficulty for Muslims.
Who are the Contenders?
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India: PM Modi is contesting elections for the third consecutive time. Before the elections, his government made a clear statement with the Interim Budget 2024 that it would give priority to knowledge (Garib: poor, Yuva: youth, Annadata: farmers, Nari Shakti: women).
- The government proposed to purchase three pulse crops (dry bean seeds) as well as maize and cotton at minimum support price (MSP) for five years to improve the condition of farmers.
- The BJP is running a “Modi ki Guarantee” campaign to highlight the government’s commitment to the welfare and development of the people, including financial assistance, housing benefits, and free health services for married women.
- The government’s Grow India 2047 initiative aims to generate a GDP of US$ 7 trillion by 2027 and US$ 30 trillion by 2047.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader, INDIA: Rahul Gandhi, four-time MP and son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (who took over after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi), is struggling to lead his party to victory in the general elections after stepping down as the party chief. Are. Poor performance of Congress in the last parliamentary elections in 2019.
- Making the MSP a legal guarantee, pledging a nationwide caste census, and prioritizing the filling of current government posts would all likely be significant topics in the Congress agenda for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
- INDIA committed to implementing the “Yuva Nyay” (Justice for Youth) initiative, which includes an assurance to fill 3 million government employment seats, a guaranteed one-year apprenticeship for qualifying degree holders, protection for social security workers and farmers, and legislation to prevent exam cheating.
- INDIA also promised the “Nari Nyay” (Justice for Women) scheme, which promises to provide poor women with INR 100,000 per year (USD 1,200); reserve 50% of central government jobs for women; and double support for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi workers and helpers, and mid-day meal workers, among other schemes.
Lok Sabha Polls Date 2024
Single Poll Date – 22 (Arunachal Pradesh, A&N island, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, DDN&H, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand)
- Two Poll Dates 4 – (Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tripura, Manipur)
- Three Poll dates 2 – (Chhattisgarh, Assam)
- Four Poll Dates 3 – (Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand)
- Five Poll dates 2 – (Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir)
- Seven Poll Dates 3 – (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & West Bengal)
- Date of counting: June 4, 2024
Possible Implications Of An NDA Win
If the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) is re-elected, it could have a wide-ranging impact on policy.
- Continuity in economic reforms: Economic changes will be implemented further to boost growth and attract investment. Focus on fiscal discipline and steps to combat inflation and the fiscal imbalance.
- Investment and job creation: Promote Make in India initiatives to increase manufacturing and create job opportunities. Foreign investment is encouraged through business-friendly policies and policy incentives.
- Agricultural reforms: Continued implementation of agricultural reforms to boost farmer income and productivity. Support for agricultural infrastructure development and market liberalization.
- Healthcare and education: Improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to high-quality care. Focus on raising educational standards and fostering skill-development activities.
- Infrastructure development: Infrastructure projects are being developed at an accelerated pace, particularly in transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure. Focus on increasing connectivity via roads, trains, and waterways.
- Foreign policy and international relations: Strengthening strategic connections with important allies while focusing on regional stability. Continued efforts to strengthen global engagement through economic diplomacy and trade agreements.
- Environmental sustainability: refers to a continued commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development approaches. Promotion of renewable energy efforts and the use of cleaner technologies.
- Social welfare schemes: Expansion and enhancement of social welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM-KISAN.Focus on inclusive development through specific initiatives for vulnerable populations.
Opposition Is Disunited
After failing to win a majority in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections, the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, formed a coalition with regional parties. However, the partnership has struggled to field united candidates.
Just months before the elections, the alliance suffered a huge setback when one of its important parts, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU (Janata Dal-United), opted to split and join the NDA. West Bengal’s ruling party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has also announced that it will run independently in the elections.
Conclusion
India General Elections 2024 In 4 general elections, India finds itself at a crossroads. Who is ready for transformational change? The democratic process has taken into account the many views and aspirations of its billion-plus inhabitants. As the dust settles, this becomes clear.
That the mandate will have a significant impact on the future of the country. Beyond mere political changes, these elections represent a collective call for development, unity, and inclusive growth. Irrespective of political background, the mandate emphasizes the importance of building harmony, tackling serious issues, and guiding India towards a brighter future. Now, the country must come together, and use this democratic decision to lead itself to prosperity and realize its immense potential.
FAQ of India General Elections 2024
Q1.FAQs for the India General Elections 2024
A1.India General Elections 2024: In seven phases, India will vote to elect a new government from among its 543 Lok Sabha seats. Here’s a complete guide to all of your general election-related questions. Our election FAQs include everything from casting your vote to counting ballots and what goes into staging an election.
Q2.What if I can’t find my name on the electoral rolls? Who do I contact for assistance?
A2.You can call your local Election Commission office or visit the National Voters’ Services Portal at www.nvsp.in.
Q3.I have misplaced my old voter identification card. How can I get a new identification card?
A3.An elector can obtain a replacement EPIC by submitting Form-8 along with a copy of the FIR/Police Report.
Q4.Who chooses the BJP president?
A4.The BJP’s organization is strictly hierarchical, with the president serving as the party’s highest authority.
According to the party’s constitution, the president is elected by an electoral college made up of the National Council and the State Councils.
