Insights into India's Monumental Election: Billions Invested, Extreme Polling Adventures, and High-Altitude Voting

Next week, India's massive national polls, the world's largest election, will begin with the first ballots being cast. These elections are seen as highly significant, with the potential to influence the country's future in a major way.

Almost 1 billion people have the opportunity to vote and determine if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be granted a third consecutive term in office, as well as extend the 10-year rule of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

India, under Modi's leadership, has emerged as the world's fastest growing major economy, propelling the nation of 1.4 billion people towards near-superpower status.

However, alongside this economic growth, India has experienced a growing divide along religious lines. Critics argue that granting Modi's right-wing BJP another five-year term could further solidify policies that have shifted the country from a secular republic to a Hindu-first nation.

Here’s what you need to know about the largest election in human history:

How does India vote?

India’s national elections are a huge democratic event that lasts for over a month and involves a massive logistical operation.

An impressive 968 million people are eligible to vote in these elections, which is more than the combined populations of the United States, the European Union, and Russia.

Given the size of the electorate, there isn’t a single date when everyone will vote. Instead, polling will unfold over seven phases around the country, beginning on April 19 and ending on June 1. All the votes from the country’s 28 states and eight union territories will be counted and results released on June 4.

Under a multi-party, first-past-the-post system, Indians will vote to fill 543 of 545 seats in the lower house of parliament, called the Lok Sabha, with two other seats nominated by the country’s president.

The party with the majority will form a government and appoint one of its winning candidates as prime minister.

Voters register at a polling station in Hyderabad on April 11, 2019.

Voters register at a polling station in Hyderabad on April 11, 2019.

Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images

Who are the contenders?

Modi and his BJP remain hugely popular and he is widely expected to secure another five years in power.

The 73-year-old won his first election as prime minister in 2014 with a strong majority, focusing on development and fighting corruption. He introduced various social and welfare reforms during his first term. In 2019, he easily won a second term, this time emphasizing Hindu nationalism.

During this election, over 67% of Indians voted, marking the highest voter turnout in the country's history.

The Indian National Congress is the main competitor of the BJP, having governed the country for a significant portion of the 77 years since independence. However, it is currently facing challenges and struggles.

To counter the possibility of another victory for Modi and the BJP, the Congress has joined forces with other opposition leaders, including prominent regional parties. This coalition, known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), kicked off its campaign recently with a focus on "saving democracy."

Political scion Rahul Gandhi is the face of the Congress party. Other key figures include the popular leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

There are also regional heavyweights to watch out for. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee from the All India Trinamool Congress and Tamil Nadu chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin will be vying to block a BJP takeover in their respective states, where Modi has not yet made significant inroads.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally in Pushkar on April 6, 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally in Pushkar on April 6, 2024.

Himanshu Sharma/AFP/Getty Images

How strong is the opposition?

The INDIA bloc is currently facing internal conflicts and has not yet chosen a candidate for prime minister. Experts believe that they are finding it difficult to find someone who can match the charisma and popularity of Modi.

Additionally, the opposition is feeling the heat from the BJP, who they claim is working to undermine Modi's rivals.

Several key members of the opposition, such as Delhi chief minister Kejriwal, have been taken into custody or looked into by government agencies, which their parties claim is politically motivated. The Congress party had its accounts locked by tax officials and was told to pay an additional $218 million in taxes. The BJP, on the other hand, denies any involvement in political interference.

Another win for Modi would solidify his position as one of India's key and longest-serving leaders. Modi's party and its partners are striving to secure over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha, which would allow them to make amendments to India's constitution. This goal would also surpass their previous absolute majority of 303 seats won in 2019, compared to the Congress party's 52.

Congress senior party leader Rahul Gandhi during the release of the party manifesto on April 5, 2024 in New Delhi.

Congress senior party leader Rahul Gandhi during the release of the party manifesto on April 5, 2024 in New Delhi.

Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times/Getty Images

What are the main issues?

India, known as the world's largest democracy, has seen a tightening of control over its democratic institutions during the decade-long rule of the populist leader, Modi.

Minorities in the country, particularly the 200 million Muslims, have expressed feeling persecuted due to the Hindu-nationalist policies implemented by the BJP.

Modi has faced criticism for stifling his critics, including taking actions against India’s independent media. According to the annual World Press Freedom Index, India's ranking has fallen from 140th in 2014, the year Modi became Prime Minister, to 161 out of 180 nations in the most recent list.

During Modi's tenure, there have been significant changes in India, such as the demolition of Islamic monuments, renaming cities established by ancient Muslim rulers, and altering history textbooks. This shift has moved India away from its secular foundation towards becoming a Hindu-centric nation. Analysts predict that another term for the BJP will continue to push India in this direction.

Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party flags fly in Delhi on March 27, 2021.

Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party flags fly in Delhi on March 27, 2021.

Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Supporters of Modi highlight his strong economic achievements. They believe that India is on track to become a major player in the 21st century due to its rapidly growing economy. They also praise his international presence, such as hosting the G20 summit, which has solidified India's position as a key global player. Additionally, Modi's leadership has been associated with significant milestones like the country's successful moon landing.

Modi has fulfilled many of his important promises, including the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. This Hindu temple was built on the site where the Babri mosque once stood, marking a significant achievement for his administration.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at a public rally at the Moulana Azad Stadium during which he inaugurated several projects in Jammu and Kashmir, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the crowd at a public rally held at the Moulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, India. The rally took place on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. During the event, he unveiled and kickstarted various development projects in the region.

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India's economy is growing, but there is a lack of job opportunities for many young people trying to find work. The unemployment rate among 20- to 24-year-olds reached a high of 44.4% by the end of 2023.

In addition, farmers have become a major challenge for the ruling party. They have been protesting and asking for better support to protect their livelihoods, such as demanding higher fixed prices for their agricultural products.

Agriculture is the main source of income for approximately 55% of India's population. In the past, farmers have been successful in pressuring Modi to revoke unpopular agricultural policies.

When it comes to voting, party symbols play a crucial role, even at high altitudes of 15,000 feet.

India's election is considered the most expensive in the world, surpassing even the US presidential elections. In 2019, it was reported that political parties, candidates, and regulatory bodies collectively spent up to $8.6 billion, as stated by the Centre for Media Studies in Delhi. This year, the spending is expected to exceed that amount.

Votes are cast electronically across over 1 million polling stations, spanning from the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the remote forests of India's central states. Approximately 15 million election workers will be deployed, utilizing various modes of transportation such as road, boat, camel, train, and helicopter to ensure every Indian voter is reached.

Tashigang, a village located at 15,256 feet (4,650 meters) in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh near the China border, made history as the world's highest polling station during the 2022 state government elections.

During the 2019 elections, over 8,000 candidates participated in the electoral process. This year, the number of candidates is still being finalized, with more than 2,700 parties set to compete for seats in the Lok Sabha. Among them are six national parties and over 70 state parties.

Election officials carry Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and other election material, followed by paramilitary personnel, in Lohore Sapori, Assam on April 10, 2019.

Election officials carry Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and other election material, followed by paramilitary personnel, in Lohore Sapori, Assam on April 10, 2019.

Each political party is assigned a symbol by the Election Commission, which is displayed on the ballots. This helps the numerous parties stand out from each other and simplifies the voting process for the citizens, especially in a country where approximately 25% of the population is unable to read.

They are common items we use every day, such as a ceiling fan, a comb, and a mango.

The symbol of the ruling BJP is a lotus, while the Congress party is represented by a raised, open-palmed hand. Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, also known as the Common Man's Party, uses a broom as its symbol, reflecting its roots in a grassroots anti-corruption movement.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming Indian national polls are a momentous event that will profoundly shape the country's future. The staggering number of eligible voters, over 968 million, underscores the magnitude of this democratic exercise. The extensive logistical operation, spanning over a month and involving multiple phases of voting, is a testament to the commitment to ensuring every citizen's voice is heard.

The outcome of this election will have far-reaching implications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a third consecutive term raises questions about the direction India will take. His economic achievements, such as propelling the nation towards superpower status, stand in contrast to concerns about a growing religious divide and the erosion of democratic institutions. The opposition's challenges in uniting and presenting a viable alternative add to the uncertainty surrounding the election's outcome. Ultimately, the voters of India hold the power to determine the course of their nation's destiny in this historic election.