Today’s Google Doodle commemorates the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, showcasing an inked index finger symbolizing the festival of democracy in India. The fourth phase sees voting in 96 Parliamentary Constituencies across 9 States and one Union Territory, as well as all 175 seats of the Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly and 28 seats of Odisha. A total of 1,717 candidates are contesting during this phase.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has asserted that India’s democracy is robust and expressed confidence in its future. In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Garcetti highlighted India’s efforts in ensuring fair elections, including transporting voting machines to remote areas. He also praised India’s practice of checking for cash distribution during elections, noting that it is better than practices in some US cities. While acknowledging concerns, Garcetti emphasized the importance of a multifaceted relationship with India, beyond focusing solely on issues of concern.
India’s 18th Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to conclude on June 4, 2024, are the world’s longest and largest democratic exercises. With 960 million eligible voters and elections spanning 44 days in seven phases, the outcome will shape India’s political landscape. The electoral contest features national and state parties, divided into three broad blocs. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aims to retain power, while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and unaffiliated parties seek to challenge their dominance. The dynamics of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections differ significantly, with the former dividing constituencies into three categories based on their electoral history. The BJP faces challenges in southern and western regions, while the Congress has declined in the Hindi belt. Regional parties in southern India remain strong contenders. The BJP’s focus on the third category of constituencies will determine its chances of securing a two-thirds majority, amending the Indian constitution, and shaping India’s political future.
