- A quick recap of the day
- • Indians are voting in the first round of a seven-phase general election
- • The average voter turnout at 5 PM India time across the 102 constituencies is 59.7%, with West Bengal topping the list with 77.6%
- • The Election Commission says polling is progressing smoothly and peacefully
- • Today's polls are to elect 102 of the 543 MPs for the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the parliament)
- • Voting will be spread over April and May and end on 1 June
- • Results will be declared on 4 June
- • The election is the biggest democratic exercise ever, with nearly a billion eligible voters
- • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term - he's challenged by a coalition of more than two dozen opposition parties, including Congress
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: 59.7% Voter Turnout Till 5 PM
April 19, 2024. 05:50 PM (GMT+6)
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Phase 1 in pictures
Google Doodle marks India’s parliamentary polls
April 19, 2024. 5:14 PM (GMT+6)
Google’s special doodle on India’s Lok Sabha elections went live today. It features an inked index finger, the hallmark of Indian polls, in place of the letter “L” of “Google”.
The doodle, when clicked, directed users to the top stories and information regarding the ongoing polls, the first day of voting, latest updates, and the festival of democracy sweeping the nation.
Four Indian states went to vote on the first day of polling – and pictures of leaders, people, from villages and cities thronged the internet with voters showing off their finger marked with the indelible ink – a true mark of “I voted”.
The Google Doodle, featuring the iconic index finger marked with indelible ink, resonates deeply with Indian voters as it symbolizes their active participation in the democratic process. The doodle’s visibility across India serves as a reminder of the civic duty and privilege of voting.
Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha Polls includes voting on 102 constituencies. Additionally, 92 assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also part of this phase, making it the largest phase in terms of electoral participation.
It is interesting how Google Doodle has evolved over the years as a sought-after fun way to mark all special occasions across the world.
In a blog post, Google has revealed it receives hundreds of doodle proposals every day. In fact, there is a pubic archive where users can check all Google Doodles ever made.
You can check it here: https://www.google.com/doodles#archive
But the most interesting bit is that the first ever Google Doodle was published in 1998 as a quick way for Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Bring to let people know they would be “out of office” on vacation.
India election: What's in it for Bangladesh?
April 19, 2024. 04:20 PM (GMT+6)
Bangladesh and India share a deep relationship, from politics to commerce and diplomacy. No wonder then that Bangladeshis are closely monitoring the India’s ongoing Lok Sabha election with expectations from the upcoming new government as the two countries share strong and dynamic bilateral relationship.
An overriding stance is that the party that comes to power will maintain communal harmony towards the political, religious and cultural freedoms of the country’s minority citizens. A common point of discussion among Bangladeshis centering the Indian election is the Narendra Modi government’s decision to notify the rules for the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Bangladeshis feel that many Muslims in Assam and West Bengal may lose Indian citizenship if the National Register of Citizens (NRC) – an exercise to identify illegal immigrants, implemented only in Assam thus far – is pursued after the CAA kicks in. This, they fear, will have an impact on the Bangladesh border. While the NRC was part of the 2019 BJP manifesto, and has been repeatedly referred to by senior party leaders, it is not present in the document of promises released for this election.
How will Bangladesh-India relations be?
For Bangladesh, a neighbor with deep ties through culture, history, and geography, the election results carry significant implications. Under Modi’s leadership, observers expect India to continue its intensified engagement and economic integration with neighboring countries through initiatives like the “Neighborhood First” policy.
However, contentious issues like cross-border migration, security cooperation, and equitable water-sharing of common river systems may remain areas of friction.
At the same time, Bangladesh’s massive exports to the huge Indian market provide immense economic incentives to maintain strong bilateral relations and connectivity projects like road and multi-modal transit links.
Whichever political party comes to power in India, there is no possibility of change in the country’s policy towards Bangladesh.
Both the Congress and BJP governments have shared friendly relations with the Sheikh Hasina government, which has been in power since 2009.
However, if the Modi-led government returns, the continuation of certain initiatives – such as talks on the Teesta dispute, the renewal of the Ganga agreement, which expires in 2026, and stopping border killings – will be ensured.
Under Modi and Sheikh Hasina, several other agreements have been signed between the two countries, including those on the exchange of enclaves, the land border, road transit, and permission to use Chittagong and Mongla sea ports.
Bangladesh’s gains from these agreements largely depend on the Modi government returning to office.
39.9% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 1 pm
April 19, 2024. 03:40 PM (GMT+6)
Election Manifesto: Takeaways from BJP and Congress’s 2024 Manifesto
April 19, 2024. 03:00 PM (GMT+6)
PX OPINION-
As the millions of Indians voting to choose their future leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi eyes a rare third-term, this election will be a test for India’s booming economy.
In the 10 years that PM Modi been in power, India’s economy has gone from being clubbed into a grouping called the “fragile five” to finding a place in the world’s top five. On the face of it, ‘Modinomics’ appears to be working. The country’s GDP is outpacing most other economies.
Its dilapidated infrastructure is getting a fix with the government picking up a $100bn tab every year for road, rail and port construction. And the likes of Apple and Tesla are looking at the country as an alternative destination to China – part of a global diversification strategy adopted by Western MNCs.
But there are problems. Inequality is rising. The private sector is not investing enough and jobs are hard to come by. The rich have gotten richer, while the vast majority remains poor.
Despite the mixed bag performance, business confidence in India remains high and the stock markets are soaring. There is no doubt that the economy will hold a big sway on people’s minds while voting.
Election Manifesto: Takeaways from BJP and Congress’s 2024 Manifesto
As millions of Indians are voting to elect their leader. Have a look at what the two major parties offer in their election manifesto…
Read at: Modi’s Guarantee: BJP manifesto promises safe, rich Bharat
Read at: Justice vs Delivery: The visible change in Congress’ 2024 manifesto
World reacts to India elections
Reactions and coverage are pouring in from across the world, as international media is keeping a close watch on the world’s biggest and most crucial democratic exercise.
While the United States officially announced that it wasn’t sending any election observer for an “advanced democracy like India”, it also reaffirmed its commitment to deepen mutual ties.
“We of course are eager to continue to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with our partners in India. And we’re just going to let the election play out,” Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department said.
Among US media, the CNN has called Indian polls as the “most consequential in decades” as Modi’s powerful right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims for an “outright majority” and a mandate to widen its development and Hindu-nationalist policies, which have “transformed India economically and culturally”.
Read full report here: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/18/india/india-general-election-polls-open-intl-hnk/index.html
US-based business news channel Bloomberg television has focused on the domestic and international economic implications as India is the world’s fifth largest economy. One of the fiercest battles is in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the TV reported, adding that Elon Musk who is due to visit India soon, could also be potentially investing in Tamil Nadu.
Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM3v03UwfEU
On the other hand, middle-east media Al Jazeera is critical of the whole exercise, comparing Prime Minister Modi to a movie character, Dictator Aladeen. India cannot formally be classified as a dictatorship, the opinion piece notes, but it cannot be a called a healthy democracy anymore.
Read full report here: https://aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/india-election-2024-live-news-vote-for-lok-sabha-seats-begins
Keeping its reporting factual, UK broadcaster BBC News is running a live page on India elections on its website. It has pointed out that the big electoral issues include jobs crisis, rising prices, crackdown on dissent and the opposition, and the politics of religion.
Read full report here: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-asia-india-68823907
“This election will test the limits of Modi’s political dominance,” says Australian media ABC News. “If Modi wins, he’ll be only the second Indian leader to retain power for a third term, after Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first prime minister.”
The report also presents Modi’s reply to democracy critics. “India is not only fulfilling the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people, but is also providing hope to the world that democracy delivers and empowers,” it quotes Modi as saying.
Read full report here: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/india-starts-voting-worlds-largest-election-modi-seeks-109406352
If you’re just joining us
Here are the key takeaways from the start of India’s election:
April 19, 2024 01:10 PM (GMT+6)
- India kicked of its massive elections today. In this first phase, voters in 21 states and union territories are casting their ballots at 187,000 polling stations. The voting ends on June 1, and results available on June 4
- The average voter turnout at 11 a.m. India time across the 102 constituencies is about 25%, with West Bengal topping the list with 33.56%
- One of India’s tech and manufacturing powerhouses, Tamil Nadu, votes today in its entirety. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, has made a big push to increase its vote share. A regional party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, or DMK, is a significant member of the opposition alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress. DMK’s performance could define the final result. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, which are voting through all seven phases, had only 15 seats in play today
- The next phase of voting is scheduled exactly seven days from today — on April 26 and will cover 12 states and one union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 89 constituencies will be casting their ballot next Friday
'Delighted to see this enthusiasm of the voters of the country', says Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
April 19, 2024 12:50PM (GMT+6)
“Delighted to see this enthusiasm of the voters of the country. We are getting reports from the field that even if rains are happening…, people are really turning out in large numbers. Women, youth, old age people… everyone is rushing towards the polling stations. It’s a delightful situation to see that people are dancing to the tune of democracy,” Kumar said.
Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on 102 seats spread across 21 states is underway.
Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Overall Voter Turnout At 24.5% At 11am
April 19, 2024 12:45AM (GMT+6)
Phase 1 Turnout
Arunachal Poll Team Walks 22 km On Foot, Carrying Voter Machines On Horses
To ensure that all voters participate in the election process on April 19th,the Election Team foot-marched nearly 22 km,carrying election materials on horses,to reach the Dingchangpam Polling Station under of the 7th Bomdila Assembly Constituency in the West Kameng District.#ECI pic.twitter.com/K7IWRxmbBz
— Chief Electoral Officer Arunachal Pradesh (@ceoarunachal) April 18, 2024
Top 10 things to know about India’s general election
Rahul Gandhi says vote will decide ‘future of India’s democracy’
April 19, 2024 12:40AM (GMT+6)
The main opposition leader has urged voters to go out and vote
“Remember, each of your votes is going to decide the future of Indian democracy and the coming generations,” the Congress leader posted on X platform.
“So come out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote to the wounds inflicted on the soul of the nation in the last 10 years. Defeat hatred and open the shop of love in every corner.”
आज पहले चरण का मतदान है!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 19, 2024
याद रहे, आपका एक-एक वोट भारत के लोकतंत्र और आने वाली पीढ़ियों का भविष्य तय करने जा रहा है।
इसलिए बाहर निकलिए और पिछले 10 साल में देश की आत्मा को दिए गए ज़ख्मों पर अपने ‘वोट का मरहम’ लगाकर लोकतंत्र को मज़बूत कीजिए।
नफ़रत को हरा कर खोल दीजिए हर कोने… pic.twitter.com/A9lfRb6yh2
For the first time, the Election Commission is allowing elderly and disabled voters to vote from home.
There are more than 8.2 million voters between 85-99 years and 230,000 centenarians. Over the last few weeks, commission officials have been visiting their homes to collect their ballots.
India is holding the world’s biggest election starting today, with nearly 1 billion people eligible to vote and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the pole position. Here are the most unique, unusual, and interesting aspects of India’s Lok Sabha elections.
Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Voter Turnout For Phase 1 Till 9 am
Source: NDTV
Key Players
April 19, 2024 10:40AM (GMT+6)
Here’s a brief guide to the key names:
Narendra Modi: The Indian PM is the face of the government and his Bharatiya Janata Party. He’s aiming for a third straight term in power.
Rahul Gandhi: Member of the opposition Congress party, which was once the dominant political force in India. He belongs to India’s most illustrious political family but hasn’t yet won a national election for his party.
Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi’s popular chief minister and leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in jail on corruption charges that he says are made up. The former bureaucrat is a fiery opponent but his supporters fear his imprisonment will hamper the AAP’s campaign.
Amit Shah: India’s home minister, who is also Mr Modi’s closest confidant, is known as an efficient political strategist.
Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin: The chief ministers of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu states, respectively, are powerful opposition leaders. Neither is standing for the election but their states – with 42 and 39 seats, respectively – are expected to see interesting contests.
Among the many other names, the major faces are BJP leader Yogi Adityanath (chief minister of India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh) and opposition leaders Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Akhilesh Yadav.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2024
Who are the voters and how to vote?
April 19, 2024 10:30AM (GMT+6)
Home to more than 1.4 billion people, about 969 million are eligible to cast their vote in the election — more than the populations of North America and the European Union combined.
This means about 12% of the world’s population will head to the polls. More than 51% of the voters, or 497 million, are men. The number of female voters, which has consistently grown over the years, is only slightly lower at 471 million.
From the high peaks of the Himalayas to the remote forests in India’s central states, votes will be cast electronically across more than one million polling stations in the country — a 1.2% increase in the number of stations from the previous election in 2019.
This operation requires some 15 million polling officials and security staff during the election, with some of these election workers traveling via road, boat, camel, train, and helicopters to reach India’s citizens.
What Is Happening Today?
April 19, 2024 10:20AM (GMT+6)
India’s parliament consists of two houses – the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (upper house). The election commencing today is for electing members of parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha.
All Indian citizens aged 18 years or above can register to vote, except those deemed mentally unsound or convicted of criminal offenses. For a party or coalition to form the government, it needs to secure a minimum of 272 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.
The incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won an impressive 303 seats in the previous election, is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.
He’s being challenged by an opposition alliance called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA, comprising more than two dozen parties, including the Congress party, which dominated Indian politics for the first six decades after independence until the BJP’s resurgence in 2014.
Here’s how and when the election takes place:
First phase: At a glance
- Voting began promptly at 7am IST in the first phase in 102 constituencies, across 17 States and four Union Territories of India.
- Among the key faces in the fray are 8 Union Ministers – Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, Sarbanada Sonowal, Jitendra Singh and Bhupendra Yadav. Other key leaders include Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, Kanimozhi of the DMK and K Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief.
- The largest number of seats in the first phase is from southern India, with 39 seats from Tamil Nadu and one seat from Puducherry.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Tamil Nadu multiple times during campaigning, as the BJP sought a foothold in the State. Experts and election observers are predicting a jump in BJP’s seat share in the State.
- However, the leading contenders are still the Dravidian majors, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
- Voting is also being held in 25 seats in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Assam, 4 in Bihar, 3 in West Bengal, 2 in Arunachal Pradesh, and 1 seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.
Welcome to our live coverage as India begins voting…
April 19, 2024 10:00AM (GMT+6)
Hello and thank you for joining us as polls open in India’s multiphase elections.
Stay with the Press Xpress Live as we bring you all the latest developments, analysis and much more throughout the day. Tulika Bhatnagar, our International Correspondent from India and Hasan Al Manzur from Bangladesh will bring you exclusive coverage of the elections. Stay Tuned!