Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Five key things to know about world’s largest electoral exercise ahead of mega verdict

Results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 – a mammoth polling exercise that lasted for nearly one-and-a-half months – would emerge on Tuesday, June 3, when the Election Commission of India has scheduled the counting of votes.

The counting of votes will begin at 8:00 am in the morning, and the first set of credible leads are expected to emerge within the next couple of hours. The stock market is expected to witness heightened activity, as the outcome of the polls is likely to impact investors’ sentiments, analysts said.

The exit polls outcome led to a market rally on Monday, with the benchmark indices clocking record highs. The BSE SENSEX peaked 3.7% to its highest-ever at 76,738.89 points, whereas the NSE NIFTY50 jumped 3.5% to a record of 23,338.70.

Will the exit poll trends be reflected in the actual results? The answer will be out tomorrow. Ahead of the mega verdict, here are five key things to know about the world’s largest electoral exercise

India’s second biggest election

The Lok Sabha polls 2024 was the second-biggest general election in India, as it started in the third week of April and concluded in the first week of June. The only exception was the polls held to elect the country’s first Parliament in 1952, that lasted for four months.

The electoral battle this year was held in seven phases, with the first on April 19, second on April 26, third on May 7, fourth on May 13, fifth on May 20, sixth on May 25, and the final round on June 1.

‘World record of 642 million voters’

A record 64.2 crore voters registered their mandate in the elections held over the past 45 days, as per a statement issued by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday. Ahead of the elections, the polling body had stated that there were 96.8 crore eligible voters in the country.

Out of the total voters who exercised their right to franchise, 31.2 crore were women, EC officials said in a press conference. “We have created a world record of 642 million voters. This is a historic moment for all of us. This is 1.5 times the voters of all G7 countries and 2.5 times the voters of 27 countries in the European Union (EU). We thank each and every one who took part in this festival of democracy. The Indian elections are indeed a miracle having no parallel in the world,” Kumar said.

8,360 candidates in fray

There were a total of 8,360 candidates in fray in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. However, the portion of female candidates stood low, as only 799 women filed nominations, according to the data compiled by New Delhi-based public policy research firm Quantum Hub.

543 seats

The elections were held in a total of 543 parliamentary seats, spread across the country. State-wise, the maximum constituencies are located in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to the Parliament. For a party or coalition to stake claim for government formation, a minimum electoral strength of 272 will be required.

EVMs and postal ballots

For all the voters barring defence personnel and those on election duty, the voting was held through electronic voting machines (EVMs). Postal ballot facility was provided to defence personnel and officials on election duty.

During the counting of votes, the postal ballots will be counted first, the Election Commission clarified. The votes polled through EVMs would be counted subsequently, it added.