Breaking Down the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls: What Contributed to the 65.79% Voter Turnout?

The 2024 general election unfolded in seven phases spanning from April 26 to June 1, culminating in the vote count on June 4. A staggering 642 million voters exercised their democratic right, marking a significant turnout.

Contrary to the 2019 scenario, the BJP fell short of securing a clear majority, securing only 240 seats independently. Notably, the recent Lok Sabha polls boasted a 65.79% voter turnout, as per the Election Commission’s announcement on June 6. However, this figure excludes postal ballots, potentially altering the final count.

The electoral turnout at polling stations stood at 65.79%, reflecting the populace’s engagement in the democratic process. This figure signifies the votes cast using electronic voting machines.

Comparatively, the 2019 parliamentary elections saw a turnout of 67.40%, with 61.5 crore out of 91.20 crore eligible voters exercising their franchise. In 2024, the electorate ballooned to 96.88 crore.

The Election Commission assured that comprehensive statistical reports, including postal votes and gross voter turnout, would be furnished once state and Union Territory inputs are finalized.

In a notable departure from 2019, the BJP secured only 240 seats independently, contrasting sharply with its 303-seat victory. Nonetheless, the BJP-led NDA appears poised to form a government, boasting 293 seats in the 543-member House, paving the way for Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

Reportedly, Modi’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for June 9.

In a remarkable turn, the opposition INDIA bloc made significant strides, clinching 234 seats. Notably, the Congress nearly doubled its seat count from 2019, securing 99 seats independently.