CEC Rajiv Kumar says Indian general elections 2024 created a world record

On the eve of the crucial vote counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar lauded the Indian democratic process, highlighting a significant milestone achieved—the highest voter turnout in global electoral history, with 642 million participants. This figure is a testament to the scale of Indian democracy, surpassing the combined voting populations of the G7 nations by 1.5 times and those of the 27 European Union countries by 2.5 times. Women voters played a pivotal role with 312 million casting their ballots, a figure that stands 1.25 times higher than the total women voters in the last EU-wide elections, reflecting the Election Commission’s commitment to inclusivity.

CEC Kumar underscored the significance of the elderly voters, those aged 85 and above, as symbols of democratic resilience and custodians of India ‘s journey since independence. The election process saw improvements with a reduction in the need for repolls, only 39 compared to 540 in 2019, with a focus on efficiency and integrity.

The election in Jammu and Kashmir was particularly notable, witnessing the highest voter turnout in four decades, a fact that the Election Commission warmly acknowledged. International recognition was extensive, with a 7 5-member delegation from 23 countries marveling at  India’s electoral management.

Addressing concerns, CEC Kumar emphasized that the elections were not marred by violence, attributing this success to meticulous planning and a two-year preparatory period. The anti-corruption efforts were robust, resulting in a record seizure of nearly Rs 10,000 crores, a threefold increase from the 2019 elections.

He assured the nation that the counting process on June 4 would be highly transparent and efficient, akin to the precision of a clock. The press conference, which included Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, was a comprehensive review of an election that, according to exit polls, portends a significant victory for the BJP-led NDA, echoing the optimistic slogans of a “400 paar” or beyond, set by BJP leaders.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, conducted over  seven phases since April 19, under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are poised to conclude with a counting day that may rewrite political landscapes across India.