Indian voters opened the world’s largest general election on Friday, marking the first phase of the electoral process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term at the helm of the country.
With more than 968 million eligible voters, voting will take place over the next six weeks, with results expected on June 4. The voting schedule includes April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 & June 1, with some states completing the process in a single day while others extend over multiple phases.
The inaugural phase saw polls in 21 states & Union Territories, encompassing populous regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra. Additionally, smaller northeastern states & the northern Himalayan territory of Jammu & Kashmir participated. These include the first elections in Kashmir after the revocation of its special autonomous status & statehood in 2019.
Rajiv Kumar, India’s chief election commissioner, told reporters that about 168.6 million people are expected to vote on Friday. He highlighted the extensive preparations undertaken over the past two years for this monumental undertaking.
The electoral landscape has more than 2,600 political parties vying for 543 seats in the lower house of Parliament. To form a government, a party or coalition must obtain a minimum of 272 seats.
Modi’s National Democratic Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, is aiming for a resounding victory, aiming for 400 seats. The opposition comes in the form of the Indian National Alliance for Inclusive Development (INDIA), made up of a coalition of about two dozen parties, led by the Congress Party. Rahul Gandhi, scion of the Gandhi-Nehru political dynasty, leads the opposition coalition, seeking to challenge Modi’s rule.
