2019 The BigBash Election of INDIA

Electoral system

Official logo
All 543 elected MPs will be elected from single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. The President of India nominates an additional two members from the Anglo-Indian community if he believes the community is under-represented.[7]
Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, 18 or older, an ordinary resident of the polling area of the constituency and possess a valid voter identification card issued by the Election Commission of India. Some people convicted of electoral or other offences are barred from voting.[8]
Earlier there were speculations that the Modi Government might advance the 2019 general election to counter the anti-incumbency factor, however learning from the past blunder of preponing an election made by the Vajpayee Government it decided to go into election as per the normal schedule[9] which was announced by Election Commission of India (ECI) on 10 March 2019, after which Model Code of Conduct was applied with immediate effect.[10] The voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system which enables electronic voting machines to record each vote cast by generating the EVM slip, will be introduced in all 543 Lok sabha constituencies.[11][12] A total of 17.4 lakh VVPAT units will be used in as many as 10,35,918 polling stations during the elections. According to the Election Commission of India, 900 million people were eligible to vote, with an increase of 84.3 million voters since the last general election in 2014,[13][14] making this the largest-ever election in the world.[15] 15 million voters in the age group of 18-19 years are eligible to exercise their right to vote for the first time.[16] 71,735 overseas voters have been enrolled in the electoral rolls for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Election Schedule

The election schedule was announced on 10 March 2019, and with it the Model Code of Conduct came into force.[17]
Election Dates of Indian General Election, 2019
Election schedule
The election is scheduled to be held in seven phases, with counting starting on 23 May. In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, the election will be held in all seven phases. The polling for the Anantanag constituency in the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases, the first of its kind, due to violence in the region that had prompted the ECI to cancel a bypoll in 2016, leaving it vacant since then.[18]
PhaseDateConstituenciesStates and Union Territories
111 April9120Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
218 April9713Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry
323 April11514Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu
429 April719Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
56 May517Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
612 May597Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi
719 May598Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh

Campaigning

Background:

On 12 January 2019, prime minister Narendra Modi launched the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign, which sought a second term in government.[19] Commentators have suggested that Modi and BJP will base their campaign on Hindu nationalism, relative to their 2014 campaign, which had emphasised job creation and economic development.[20][21]
On the same day, both Mayawati (president of the Bahujan Samaj Party) and Akhilesh Yadav (president of the Samajwadi Party) announced an alliance to contest 76 seats out of the 80 in Uttar Pradesh and the alliance will not fight in Amethi and Rae Bareli as they are represented by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The alliance did not include Congress, which Mayawati explained: "Including Congress in the alliance will hurt SP-BSP prospects as Congress's votes do not get transferred." The alliance was the second of its kind with a similar coalition formed 25 years ago in 1993.[22]
Among the interventions by the Election Commission was a ban on the use of images of individuals killed in the 2019 Pulwama attack. Later, Teeka Ram Meena, the Chief Election Officer, banned the use of issues related to the Sabarimala temple during the poll campaign.[23]
In 2015, an India-Bangladesh boundary agreement was signed, in which the two countries exchanged their enclaves. As a result, it will be the first time in which residents of these former enclaves vote in an Indian general election.[24]

Issues

A number of issues are expected to be of importance in this election. These include the country's recent conflict with Pakistan, GST[25], unemployment, and national security.[26]

Alleged institutional undermining

During the election campaign, the opposition parties have claimed that the NDA government is destroying democratic institutions and processes. Opposition party leaders such as Mamata Banerjee have campaigned on this issue.[27]
In response, Modi termed the allegations "a big joke", commenting that Congress and the communists had themselves undermined institutions including the police, CBI and the CAG, and cited the murder of BJP activists in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.[28]

National security

Further information: India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2019) and 2019 Balakot airstrike
In response to the 2019 Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes inside Pakistan — for the first time since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The country's ongoing conflict with Pakistan is predicted to be a significant factor in this election. The opposition accused Modi of politicising the army, whilst the BJP countered their accusations by stating that such allegations raised by them were adversely affecting the morale of India's armed forces.[29]

Unemployment

Main article: Unemployment in India
Opposition parties have claimed that unemployment has reached crisis levels. The NDA government has denied the existence of any job crisis.[30] Prime minister Narendra Modi claimed that jobs are not lacking but data on jobs has been lacking.[31][32]
A report on unemployment was prepared by the National Sample Survey Office's (NSSO's) periodic labour force survey. This report has not been officially released by the NDA government. According to the Business Today newspaper, this report is the "first comprehensive survey on employment conducted by a government agency after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation move in November 2016". According to this report, the 2017–2018 unemployment rate in India at 6.1%, a four decade high.[33] The government has claimed that the report was not final.[34]

Agrarian and rural distress

The Congress party campaign has highlighted "agrarian distress" as an election issue.[35] The BJP campaign has highlighted that the Congress party had been in power for five generations of the Nehru dynasty and its past promises and campaign issues have been empty. It claims that the recent farmer loan waivers by Congress have not reached "even 10% of the farmers" nor has it helped the financial situation of the farmers. BJP highlights that its "Kisan Samman Nidhi" helps the small farmers at the time of seed planting through a direct deposit of ₹6000 to their accounts.[36] The opposition has accused this as being an attempt to lure voters.[37]

Social media abuses and fake news

According to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, the 2019 Indian election has attracted a systematic attempt to spread misinformation through the social media.[38][39]Facebook claims that over a hundred of these social media advocacy accounts spreading disinformation about the 2019 Indian elections have been traced to "employees of the Pakistani military public relations wing".[38][39] Some others have been linked to the opposition Indian National Congress,[39][38] as well as the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party.[39]

Party campaigns

Bharatiya Janata Party

Main article: Bharatiya Janata Party campaign for the 2019 Indian general election

Indian National Congress

Main article: Indian National Congress campaign for the 2019 Indian general election

Television debates

Campaigning costs

Manifesto

The Congress released its manifesto, titled Congress Will Deliver on 3 April.[40][41]
The BJP released its manifesto, titled Sankalp Patra on 8 April.[42][43]

Participating parties

Main articles: List of National Democratic Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election, List of United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2019 Indian general election, and List of Left Front candidates in the 2019 Indian general election
PartyStates/UTs contestedSeatsAlliance
ContestedWon
Bharatiya Janata PartyAndhra Pradesh25437National Democratic Alliance
Arunachal Pradesh2
Assam10
Bihar17
Chhattisgarh11
Goa2
Gujarat26
Haryana10
Himachal Pradesh4
Jammu and Kashmir[44]6
Jharkhand11
Karnataka27
Kerala15
Madhya Pradesh29
Maharashtra25
Manipur2
Meghalaya2
Mizoram[45]1
Odisha21
Punjab3
Rajasthan24
Sikkim1
Tamil Nadu5
Telangana17
Tripura2
Uttar Pradesh78
Uttarakhand5
West Bengal42
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1
Chandigarh1
Dadra and Nagar Haveli1
Daman and Diu1
Delhi7
Lakshadweep1
Shiv Sena[46]Maharashtra23
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[47]Tamil Nadu20
Janata Dal (United)[48]Bihar17
Shiromani Akali Dal[49]Punjab10
Pattali Makkal Katchi[47]Tamil Nadu7
Lok Janshakti Party[48]Bihar6
Bharath Dharma Jana SenaKerala4
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam[50]Tamil Nadu4
Asom Gana ParishadAssam3
Apna Dal (Sonelal)Uttar Pradesh2
All Jharkhand Students Union[51]Jharkhand1
Puthiya Tamilagam[52]Tamil Nadu1
Tamil Maanila CongressTamil Nadu1
Puthiya Needhi Katchi[53]Tamil Nadu1
All India N.R. Congress[54]Puducherry1
Bodoland People's Front[55]Assam1
Nationalist Democratic Progressive PartyNagaland1
Kerala Congress (Thomas)[56]Kerala1
Rashtriya Loktantrik PartyRajasthan1
Sumalatha (Independent Candidate supported by BJP in Mandya)Karnataka1
Indian National CongressAndhra Pradesh25422United Progressive Alliance
Arunachal Pradesh2
Assam14
Bihar9
Chhattisgarh11
Goa2
Gujarat26
Haryana10
Himachal Pradesh4
Jammu and Kashmir5
Jharkhand7
Karnataka21
Kerala16
Madhya Pradesh29
Maharashtra[57]24
Manipur2
Meghalaya2
Nagaland1
Odisha18
Punjab13
Rajasthan25
Sikkim1
Tamil Nadu9
Telangana17
Tripura2
Uttar Pradesh[58]67
Uttarakhand5
West Bengal42
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1
Chandigarh1
Dadra and Nagar Haveli1
Daman and Diu1
Delhi7
Lakshadweep1
Puducherry1
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[59]Tamil Nadu20
Nationalist Congress Party[57]Maharashtra20
Rashtriya Janata DalBihar1920
Jharkhand1
Janata Dal (Secular)[60]Karnataka7
Jan Adhikar Party[58]Uttar Pradesh5
Rashtriya Lok Samta PartyBihar5
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha[61]Jharkhand45
Odisha1
Communist Party of India (State level)[59][62]Odisha13
Tamil Nadu2
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (State level)[59]Odisha13
Tamil Nadu2
Hindustani Awam MorchaBihar3
Indian Union Muslim League[59]Kerala23
Tamil Nadu1
Vikassheel Insaan PartyBihar3
Apna Dal (Krishna Patel)[58]Uttar Pradesh2
Jharkhand Vikas Morcha[61]Jharkhand2
Swabhimani Paksha[57]Maharashtra2
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi[59]Tamil Nadu2
Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi[57]Maharashtra1
Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (State level)Bihar1
Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi[59]Tamil Nadu1
Kerala Congress (M)Kerala1
Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi[59]Tamil Nadu1
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[59]Tamil Nadu1
Revolutionary Socialist Party (State level)[63]Kerala1
Yuva Swabhiman Party[57]Maharashtra1
Lalnghinglova Hmar ( Independent candidate supported by INC in Mizoram)Mizoram1
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (supported by INC in Srinagar)Jammu and Kashmir1
Bahujan Samaj Party [22]Andhra Pradesh3TBAMahagathbandhan
Bihar40
Chhattisgarh11
Gujarat26
Haryana8
Jammu and Kashmir2
JharkhandTBA
Karnataka28
Madhya Pradesh26
Maharashtra44
OdishaTBA
Punjab3
Rajasthan25
TelanganaTBA
Uttar Pradesh78
Uttarakhand4
Samajwadi Party[22]Madhya Pradesh344
Maharashtra4
Uttar Pradesh79
Rashtriya Lok DalUttar Pradesh3
Gondwana Ganatantra Party[64]Madhya Pradesh1
Loktantra Suraksha Party[65]Haryana2
Punjabi Ekta Party[66]Punjab3
Lok Insaaf Party[66]Punjab4
Punjab Front[66]Punjab1
Communist Party of India (State level)[66]Andhra Pradesh2TBA
Punjab1
TelanganaTBA
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (State level)Andhra Pradesh2
Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (State level)[66]Punjab1
Jana Sena Party[67]Andhra Pradesh18TBA
TelanganaTBA
Communist Party of India (Marxist)[68]Assam265Left Front
Bihar1
Haryana1
Himachal Pradesh1
Jharkhand1
Karnataka1
Kerala16
Lakshadweep1
Madhya Pradesh1
Maharashtra1
Odisha1
Telangana2
Tripura2
Uttarakhand1
West Bengal33
Communist Party of IndiaBihar19
Jharkhand1
Kerala4
West Bengal3
Revolutionary Socialist PartyWest Bengal3
All India Forward BlocWest Bengal3
Telugu Desam PartyAndhra Pradesh25Other parties
YSR Congress PartyAndhra Pradesh25
Bharipa Bahujan MahasanghMaharashtraTBA
Amma Makkal Munnetra KazhagamPuducherry139
Tamil Nadu38
Makkal Needhi MaiamPuducherry138
Tamil Nadu37
Biju Janata DalOdisha21
Telangana Rashtra SamithiTelangana16
Social Democratic Party of IndiaTamil Nadu1
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul MuslimeenMaharashtraTBATBA
Telangana1
Naam Tamilar KatchiPuducherry139
Tamil Nadu38
Aam Aadmi Party[69]Bihar3TBA
Chandigarh1
Delhi7
Goa2
HaryanaTBA
Punjab13
Uttar Pradesh4
Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohiya)Bihar396
Chhattisgarh1
Delhi2
Haryana1
Jammu and Kashmir1
Karnataka2
Madhya Pradesh2
Odisha2
Tamil Nadu2
Uttar Pradesh79
Uttarakhand1
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic PartyJammu and Kashmir4
Jammu & Kashmir National ConferenceJammu and Kashmir4
National People's PartyArunachal PradeshTBATBA
Assam5
Manipur1
Meghalaya1
Mizoram1
Uttarakhand Kranti DalUttarakhand4
Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) LiberationBihar47
Jharkhand2
Uttarakhand1
Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)Uttarakhand1
All India Trinamool CongressAssam872
Bihar2
Jharkhand3
Odisha10
Tamil Nadu7
West Bengal42
Indian Gandhiyan PartyBihar266
Jharkhand3
Odisha10
Tamil Nadu7
Uttar Pradesh2
West Bengal42
Independent politiciansAndhra PradeshTBATBANone
Arunachal PradeshTBA
AssamTBA
BiharTBA
ChhattisgarhTBA
GoaTBA
GujaratTBA
HaryanaTBA
Himachal PradeshTBA
Jammu and KashmirTBA
JharkhandTBA
KarnatakaTBA
KeralaTBA
Madhya PradeshTBA
MaharashtraTBA
ManipurTBA
MeghalayaTBA
MizoramTBA
NagalandTBA
OdishaTBA
PunjabTBA
RajasthanTBA
SikkimTBA
Tamil Nadu559
TelanganaTBA
TripuraTBA
Uttar PradeshTBA
UttarakhandTBA
West BengalTBA
Andaman and Nicobar IslandsTBA
ChandigarhTBA
Dadra and Nagar HaveliTBA
Daman and DiuTBA
DelhiTBA
LakshadweepTBA
PuducherryTBA

Endorsements

Media coverage

Opinion polling and seat projections

Opinion polling

Main article: Opinion polling for the 2019 Indian general election
Line graph showing number of seats projected in opinion polls per alliance over time.
Various organisations have carried out opinion polling to gauge voting intentions in India. Results of such polls are displayed in this list. The date range for these opinion polls is from the previous general election, held in April and May 2014, to the present day.
Date publishedPolling agencyOthersLeadαMajority
NDAUPA
06 April 2019IndiaTV-CNX2751261421493
04 April 2019Jan Ki Baat31012211118838
Mar 2019Times Now-VMR28313512514811
Mar 2019News Nation270134139131Hung
Mar 2019RepublicTV–C voter264141138123Hung
Mar 2019IndiaTV-CNX28512613215913
Mar 2019Zee 24 Taas26416511499Hung
Feb 2019VDP Associates24214815394Hung
Jan 2019Times Now-VMR252147144105Hung
Jan 2019ABP News -Cvoter23316714366Hung
Jan 2019India Today -Karvy23716614067Hung
Jan 2019VDP Associates22516715058Hung
Dec 2018India Today257146140111Hung
Dec 2018ABP News – C Voter24717112576Hung
Dec 2018India TV – CNX2811241381579
Nov 2018ABP News – C Voter261119163142Hung
Oct 2018ABP News2761121551644
Aug 2018India Today- Karvy2811221401599
May 2018ABP News-CSDS2741641051102
Jan 2018Republic-CVoter3358911924663
Jan 2018India Today30910213220737
April–May 2014General election results3366011327664

Exit polls

Results

Results will be announced on May 23.

Aftermath

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