Lok Sabha Election 2024: India is gearing up for its 2024 summer elections, with Lok Sabha polls slated for April and May. This massive democratic event will see over 960 million eligible voters casting their ballots, making it the largest exercise of its kind globally. The election’s outcome will significantly shape the country’s political landscape for the next five years.
The BJP is striving for a historic third term in power, while opposition parties, including the Congress, have formed a united front called INDIA to challenge PM Modi’s leadership. Moreover, numerous regional heavyweights, particularly those from southern states, are actively contesting to strengthen their presence in their respective regions.
Lok Sabha Election 2024
India, known as the world’s largest democracy, is getting ready for its 18th Lok Sabha election in 2024. The Lok Sabha, which has 545 seats, holds a significant influence over the country’s political direction. Currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holds power.
The approaching elections are expected to showcase diverse ideologies and future visions. This article will explore the anticipated date of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Also Read: Election Commissioner Arun Goel Resigns Prior to Lok Sabha Elections
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Date
The Election Commission of India has revealed the dates for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on March 16. The voting process will span across seven phases, starting from April 19 and concluding on June 1. Each phase is scheduled as follows: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
| Lok Sabha Election 2024 Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Date | Details |
| 1 | April 19, 2024 | Deadline to file nominations: March 27. Involves 21 states/UTs. |
| 2 | April 26, 2024 | Nomination deadline: April 4. Covers 12 states/UTs. |
| 3 | May 7, 2024 | Nominations due by April 20. Includes 12 states/UTs. |
| 4 | May 13, 2024 | Final day for nominations: April 25. Encompasses 10 states/UTs. |
| 5 | May 20, 2024 | Nomination deadline: May 3. Affects 8 states/UTs. |
| 6 | May 25, 2024 | Nominations close on May 6. Relates to 7 states/UTs. |
| 7 | June 1, 2024 | File nominations before May 14. Involves 8 states/UTs. |
| Counting | June 4 | Vote counting for all elections will be on this date. |
Lok Sabha Election Previous Results
In the last two national elections, the BJP led by PM Modi performed strongly, significantly reducing the Congress party’s presence in the Lok Sabha. The BJP had previously been in power at the Centre from 1999 to 2004 as part of the NDA coalition. However, in both 2014 and 2019, the BJP secured enough seats on its own to form a government, showcasing its growing dominance in Indian politics.
In 2014, the BJP won 282 seats in the Lok Sabha, with its coalition NDA securing 353 seats. The Congress, on the other hand, only managed to win 44 seats, its lowest ever tally, indicating a major shift in the political landscape. BJP received 31% of the total votes, while Congress got 19.3%, underlining the widening gap between the two parties.
In 2019, the BJP further solidified its position by increasing its seat count to 303, marking the first time in over 35 years that a party crossed the 300-seat mark in the Lok Sabha.
Congress, although showing a slight improvement, won only 52 seats, highlighting the continued struggle of the traditional party against the BJP’s surge. BJP’s vote share also rose significantly to 37.3% in 2019, reinforcing its strong hold on the electorate.
Apart from BJP and Congress, various regional parties like TMC, SP, AIADMK, DMK, JD(U), BSP, AAP, TDP, YSR Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP contested from their respective states, adding complexity and diversity to the electoral landscape.
| Lok Sabha Election Previous Results (2019) | ||
|---|---|---|
| PARTY | SEAT SHARE | VOTE SHARE (IN %) |
| BJP | 303 | 37.4 |
| Congress | 52 | 19.5 |
| DMK | 23 | 2.3 |
| TMC | 22 | 4.1 |
| YSR | 22 | 2.5 |
Lok Sabha Election 2024 What to Expect?
In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the BJP aims for a third consecutive term in power, aiming to solidify its place in Indian politics. Prime Minister Modi and his team are confident about this and pledge to boost India’s economy to become the third largest by 2029. They’ve set a high target of winning 370 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, the Congress, BJP’s main rival, seeks to increase its Lok Sabha seats while negotiating alliances with other parties. Having ruled India for about 60 years, the Congress sees this election as crucial for reclaiming lost ground against the BJP and other regional players.
Key Players:
The election is often portrayed as PM Modi versus the rest due to the absence of a unified opposition. However, leaders from various political backgrounds are actively shaping the election narrative.
For the BJP, PM Modi leads the charge, touring the country to win over voters, especially in the southern states where the party’s performance has been weaker. Alongside Modi, leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and several Union ministers will play prominent roles in the campaign.
In the opposition camp, leaders like Rahul Gandhi and possibly Priyanka Gandhi are leading the Congress’s efforts.
Other notable leaders include Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Akhilesh Yadav (SP), N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Jagan Reddy (YSRC), MK Stalin (DMK), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena – UBT), Naveen Patnaik (BJD), Mayawati (BSP), and K Chandrasekhar Rao (BRS), each spearheading campaigns for their respective parties.
Also Read: JP Nadda Resigns as BJP Chief and Rajya Sabha Member
Lok Sabha Election 2024 FAQs
Q.1. When are the Lok Sabha elections 2024 expected?
Ans. The Election Commission might announce the dates around March 14-15, post their assessment of Jammu and Kashmir.
Q.2. How did BJP perform in the previous Lok Sabha elections?
Ans. BJP secured a dominant position, winning 282 seats in 2014 and further increasing to 303 seats in 2019.
Q.3. What are the BJP’s objectives for the 2024 elections?
Ans. BJP aims for a third consecutive term, with PM Modi pledging to boost India’s economy and targeting 370 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Q.4. Who are the key players in the upcoming elections?
Ans. PM Modi leads BJP’s campaign, while Rahul Gandhi and other leaders spearhead efforts for the Congress and other regional parties.
Q.5. How significant are the 2024 elections for the Congress?
Ans. For the Congress, the elections are crucial to regain lost ground against the BJP after ruling India for about 60 years.
