The Planet’s largest democratic exercise begins today
By IAR Desk
The planet’s largest democratic exercise began today as India went to the polls. Elections to the 543 seat Lok Sabha – the People’s Council – or the lower house of Parliament.
About 970 million people of a more than 1.4 billion population are eligible to vote. Among those registered to vote are 18 million first-timers 18 or 19 years old, as well as 8.2 million people over 85.
Women comprise 471 million voters.
The elections, beginning from today, will take place over two months in seven phases and will end on 1st June.
Ballot counting will take place on June 4.
The polls will be taking place across 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UT), spanning five climatic zones from tropical to alpine. Over 1 million polling stations have been set up and 15 million employees of federal and state governments, and 400,000 vehicles are engaged in conducting the nationwide polls – the largest in the world. Helicopters, boats, elephants will also be used to access voters in some of the more remote parts of the country.
Most of India’s eligible voters will cast their ballots using electronic voting machines (EVMs), about 5.5 million of which have been deployed for the colossal democratic exercise. Voters above age 85 and those with disabilities have the option to use a postal ballot system.
First past the post system
India follows a first past the post system. A party or coalition needs to win 272 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats to form a government. The candidate with the most votes wins. Voters do not directly elect a prime minister, with members of Parliament deciding on who should fill that position. Usually the leader of the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Lok Sabha is elected as prime minister and then appointed by the president.
Who are the Major Contenders?
Voting began promptly at 7 a.m. across 17 States and four UTs, with many sitting Members of Parliament and state Chief Ministers s casting votes
This humongous electoral exercise is planned, organized, and conducted by the Election Commission of India.
