22/04/2024
Indian Democracy
In the largest-ever exercise of the fundamental democratic rights of people, voting started in India on April 19. Close to 1 billion people (969 million to be precise – about 10% of the world population) are eligible to vote across 28 states and 8 union territories administered by the President through an appointed Administrator such as a Governor. About 18 million voters are registered to vote for the first time. UAE, Israel, Hungary, Switzerland, and Austria have half this number (about 9 million) and are equal to the population of the Netherlands, Chad, Ecuador, and Romania. The total population of Europe is 741 million and USA 333 million.
Total number of political parties registered during this election is 2600! There are 7 ‘National’ parties Criteria: any party which a) wins two percent of seats (11 seats) in the Lok Sabha (Parliament) from at least three different states or b) At a general election to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, the party polls six percent of votes in any four or more states and in addition, it wins four Lok Sabha seats or c) The party gets recognition as a state party in four states. These are AAP (State Gov 2 states), BJP (State Gov 12 states) , BSP, CPI(M), INC (Congress – State Gov 3 states), PPP (State Gov Meghalaya).
There are about 60 state or regional parties. Notables are AITMC (WB Govt), CPI, Janata Dal (2), AIDMK, DMK (GOV Tamilnadu), NCP, RJD, TDP, YSR Congress (Gov Karnataka), AINRC (Gov Pondicherry), Biju Janata Dal (Gov Odissa), Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (Registered in Bihar), Indian Union Muslim League (registered in Kerala), J&K National Conference, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Gov Jharkhand), Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (Gov Nagaland), Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (Gov Sikkim), Shiv Sena (SHS – Gov Maharashtra), Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party Gov Andhra), Zoram People's Movement (Gov Mizoram).
There are 543 seats in Loksabha. India uses Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), unlike the USA and other developed nations. While the first introduction of EVMs happened in India in 1982 (Kerala Assembly), only 10 countries in the world use EVMs, and Italy, Germany, and England have banned EVMs. 1.2 million polling booths are arranged for voting in 7 phases April 19 – to June 1. The temperature range in India during this time is between -13 degrees Celsius (5 F) (Leh, J&K) to 45 C – 115 F (Sri Ganga Nagar Rajasthan). All results will be out on June 4. BJP and allies (NDA) have targeted for 400+ seats, and as of now, it seems to be a plausible goal.
Finally, out of about 200 countries in the world (197 recognized by the UN), only 75 countries have democratic governments, 34 are hybrid, and about 60 are authoritarian regimes.
