Indian elections 2024: one of the biggest general votes on the planet begins

With almost a billion voters, the India General elections begin this Friday, the first phase of the longest electoral process in its history that will last six weeks, in which the prime minister’s religious nationalism Narendra Modi He will seek a third term.

Polling stations in around a hundred electoral districts in more than 20 states across the country opened at around 7:00 am local time (02:00 GMT) for the first phase of the country’s general elections. Indiaconfirmed to EFE the Election Commission of India (ECI, for its acronym in English).

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Over the next 44 days, voters will elect the 543 seats in the Low camera of Parliament or Lok Sabhawhich will define which alliance or party will decide the name of the Asian giant’s next prime minister.

A woman dressed in a burqa votes in the first phase of India’s general elections at a polling station in Kairana, Shamli district, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on April 19, 2024. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN/AFP) (SAJJAD HUSSAIN /)

“Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Begin Today! As 102 electoral districts across 21 states and territories vote, I urge you to vote in record numbers. I especially appeal to young people and first-time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!“, published the prime minister on his X account at the beginning of the day.

Today alone, the Electoral Commission expects more than 160 million citizens to participate.

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The two main political forces in these elections are the coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi, known as National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the opposition bloc National Inclusive Alliance for India’s Development (INDIA), which together with other opponents make up the formation of the dynasty Nehru-Gandhithe Congress Party.

These are the second longest elections held so far in India, only preceded by the elections that the country held after its independence from the British Empire in 1947, which lasted four months, between October 25, 1951 and February 21, 1952.

Source: Elcomercio