- India's General Election Commission announces seven-phase elections in April and May.
- The results are expected to be announced on 4 June.
- Approximately 968 million eligible voters, the largest in the world.
With approximately 968 million eligible voters, India's election will stand as the largest the world has ever witnessed. Opinion polls forecast a victory for Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, who are aiming for a historic third term in power.
More than two dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, have joined forces to create a coalition bloc known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to challenge the BJP in this election.
In India's lower house, which comprises 543 elected seats, any party or coalition requires a minimum of 272 MPs to establish a government.
In the 2019 election, the BJP, under Mr. Modi's leadership, secured a remarkable 303 out of the 543 seats. This year, the party aims to win at least 370 seats.
Several states will conduct polls in multiple phases. Voting will be staggered, beginning on 19 April and ending on 1 June, Mr Kumar said.
"We will take democracy to every corner of the country," he said.
"We promise to deliver a national election in a manner that we... remain a beacon for democracy around the world."
Approximately 968 million people, which is 150 million more than the last elections in 2019, are eligible to vote.
"Over 26 million new voters have been included in the electoral roll, of which approximately 14 million are women, surpassing the newly enrolled men by over 15%," the Election Commission said.
On Thursday, India appointed two new election commissioners to occupy vacant positions within the three-person Election Commission.
Electronic voting machines, which will include a none of the Above (Nota) button, will be utilized during the election.
The sudden resignation of Arun Goel, the second-highest officer in the Election Commission, had left the poll body with only one of the three mandated members, the chief election commissioner, just days before the announcement of poll dates.
Meanwhile, the India Supreme Court is actively hearing a case concerning the controversial electoral bonds scheme, which permitted individuals and companies to make political donations anonymously.
The Election Commission has published a list of India's top political donors. Mr. Modi's BJP emerged as the largest beneficiary, receiving nearly half of the bonds worth 120 billion rupees donated between 2018 and 2024.
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