Table of Contents
Author: Pankaj Chowdhury
Reviewer & Editor: Sahil Shekh
Background & History
The Lok Sabha election in India is a monumental democratic exercise that elects members to the lower house of the Parliament of India. The Loksabha comprises 543 members whom the people of India directly elect through a general election held every five years. This electoral process is fundamental to India’s democratic framework and has significant implications for the country’s political landscape, governance, and development trajectory.
The first Lok Sabha election, a historic event, was held in 1951-52, marking India’s transition from British rule to an independent democratic nation. This significant milestone, following the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, laid the foundation for the regular conduct of Lok Sabha elections, symbolizing the enduring nature of Indian democracy. The election process has since evolved, adapting to changes in the political environment, technological advancements, and shifts in the electorate’s demographics and preferences.
The Lok Sabha elections, a testament to India’s democratic spirit, are conducted by the Election Commission of India, an autonomous constitutional authority. This esteemed body is responsible for administering election processes in India at both the national and state levels, ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. The elections are held using a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the seat. India is divided into 543 constituencies, each representing a geographic area of the country.
The Lok Sabha elections are a critical determinant of the political power structure in India. The party or coalition with a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha is invited to form the government, with its leader typically becoming the Prime Minister. The President of India, who is the head of state, plays a crucial role in this process. The President appoints the Prime Minister and other members of the Council of Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. This election not only decides the composition of the government but also reflects the public’s mandate on various issues such as economic policy, social justice, national security, and governance.
Over the years, the Lok Sabha elections have seen a diverse range of political parties and leaders vying for power, making the electoral landscape vibrant and dynamic. Major national parties like the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have traditionally been dominant, but regional parties also play crucial roles in shaping electoral outcomes. These regional parties, which represent the interests of specific states or regions, often hold the balance of power and can influence the formation of the government.
The Lok Sabha election process faces several challenges, including electoral malpractices such as vote buying and booth capturing, voter intimidation, and the influence of money and muscle power. These issues can undermine the fairness and integrity of the elections. The Election Commission has implemented various reforms to address these issues, such as the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs), voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs), and stringent monitoring of election expenditures.
Another significant challenge is ensuring the participation of all eligible voters, given India’s vast and diverse population. Efforts have been made to increase voter awareness and turnout through initiatives like the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program. This program, launched by the Election Commission, aims to educate voters about the electoral process, their rights and responsibilities, and the importance of voting. It also encourages voter registration and participation, particularly among marginalized and underrepresented groups.
The Lok Sabha elections are a cornerstone of India’s democratic system, reflecting the country’s commitment to democratic principles and governance. They provide a platform for the electorate to express their will and shape the future of the nation. The outcomes of these elections have a direct impact on the governance and development trajectory of India. The policies and decisions of the government, including those related to economic development, social welfare, and national security, are influenced by the public’s mandate expressed through these elections. Despite the challenges, the robust electoral framework and continuous reforms ensure the integrity and credibility of the election process. As India continues to evolve as a democracy, the Lok Sabha elections will remain a critical mechanism for political expression and change.
Growing participation of Indians in the festival of democracy over the years
Fig: 1
Over the past decade, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in the number of eligible voters, culminating in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, where the electorate surpassed a staggering 900 million individuals. This milestone solidified India’s position as the site of the largest-ever election in terms of voter numbers globally. The substantial rise in voter participation has been a consistent trend over the last ten Lok Sabha elections,
with over 610 million voters exercising their voting rights in the 2019 election alone. This surge underscores the robustness of India’s democracy, showcasing the active engagement of its citizens in the electoral process. The number of voters increased by 2.6 times, between 1984 and 2019 (fig: 1).
Fig: 2
Voter turnout serves as a crucial parameter of democratic health, reflecting the level of citizen involvement and trust in the political system. A high voter turnout is indicative of an inclusive democracy, whereas a low turnout may signal public apathy or disillusionment. Over the past decade, India has maintained an average voter turnout of around 60% in Lok Sabha elections.
From 1989 to 2009, voter turnout consistently hovered below the 60% mark, with occasional exceptions such as the 1998 election. However, the elections of 2014 and 2019 witnessed a significant uptick in turnout, surpassing the 66%. Despite these increases, voter turnout in the last decade, while on the rise, remains relatively low as compared to other developed countries.
This underscores the ongoing efforts needed to enhance civic engagement and ensure broader participation in the democratic process. While progress has been made, there remains room for further improvement to strengthen India’s democratic fabric and ensure the voices of all citizens are heard (fig: 2).
The battle for dominance in the world’s largest democracy: BJP vs INC
Fig: 3
In 1984, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) garnered a modest vote share of 7.7%, while the Indian National Congress (INC) commanded a dominant 49.1% share of the vote. However, a significant shift occurred in the subsequent years. By 1988, the INC experienced a rapid decline in its vote share, coinciding with a sharp ascent in support for the BJP. This trend continued into the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the INC maintaining a relatively steady vote share between 27% to 29%, surpassing the BJP during this period.
The political landscape underwent a seismic transformation thereafter. The BJP’s fortunes surged, culminating in historic victories. In 2014, the party achieved its highest-ever vote share at 31%, followed by a remarkable escalation to 37.4% in the 2019 elections. Concurrently, the INC witnessed a precipitous decline in its electoral support, plummeting to around 20% during the same period.
Throughout the last ten Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s vote share experienced an unprecedented surge, registering an approximately 30% increase, between 1984 and 2019. Conversely, the INC suffered a corresponding decline, with its vote share diminishing by nearly 30%. This divergence underscores a profound realignment in Indian politics, marked by the BJP’s ascendancy and the INC’s diminishing influence on the electoral landscape (fig: 3).
Fig: 4
In the electoral aftermath of 1984, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a mere 2 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) dominated with an overwhelming 404 seats. However, the political landscape underwent a significant transformation thereafter. By the subsequent election cycle, the INC experienced a notable decline, securing only 197 seats, while the BJP began to make inroads, increasing its tally to 85 seats in 1989.
In a watershed moment in 1996, the BJP surpassed the INC in seat count for the first time, setting the stage for a shifting dynamic in Indian politics. Over the ensuing years until 2004, the INC witnessed a gradual erosion in its parliamentary presence, while the BJP’s performance surged.
In 2009, the INC staged a modest resurgence, clinching 206 seats, compared to the BJP’s 116. However, this reversal was short-lived. The BJP embarked on a trajectory of unparalleled success, reaching its zenith with 282 seats in 2014 and a further escalation to 303 seats in 2019. Concurrently, the INC experienced a stark decline, securing a mere 44 and 52 seats in these respective elections (fig: 4).
The transformed political landscape of India
The evolving dynamics of voter turnout and political representation in India underscore the complex interplay between citizen engagement and the shifting political landscape. From 1989 to 2009, voter turnout remained below 60%, with only sporadic exceptions. However, the elections of 2014 and 2019 marked a notable increase in voter participation, with turnout surpassing 66%. Despite these gains, voter turnout in India still lags behind that of many developed nations, highlighting the need for continuous efforts to educate and engage citizens about the importance of voting, which includes targeted campaigns to reach marginalized communities and first-time voters, making the electoral process more accessible and transparent.
The significant shifts in the political landscape further illustrate the volatility and transformation within India’s electoral environment. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has experienced a remarkable rise, increasing its vote share from a modest 7.7% in 1984 to an impressive 37.4% in 2019. Conversely, the Indian National Congress (INC) has dramatically declined, with its vote share dropping from a dominant 49.1% in 1984 to around 20% in recent years. This profound realignment in political fortunes is also reflected in the seat counts, with the BJP moving from securing just two seats in 1984 to a commanding 303 seats in 2019, while the INC’s presence dwindled from 404 seats in 1984 to only 52 seats in 2019. This seismic shift underscores the BJP’s ascent to dominance and the concurrent decline of the INC’s parliamentary influence, marking a pivotal chapter in India’s political narrative.
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