What to know as India sets elections for April
India's largest democratic polling exercise to begin soon with Prime Minister Modi at the center, facing criticism and challenges amidst popularity and concerns of authoritarianism.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
India’s election commission has announced that the country’s largest democratic polling exercise will begin on April 19, lasting over six weeks and spanning seven phases, with results expected on June 4. The elections will determine the future of 1.4 billion Indians, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the center of the election. Modi and his party have faced criticism for allegedly eroding India’s democratic foundations and inciting violence against minorities, particularly Muslims. Despite concerns of authoritarianism, Modi remains popular as he aims for a third term. The upcoming elections face challenges of violence, misinformation, and bribery, with opposition parties questioning the election commission’s impartiality. A recent electoral bonds scandal involving the BJP has added a new layer of complexity to the already competitive election landscape.