World News

Modi could win third term, polls expect

Exit polls indicate that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to secure a third consecutive term in office.

 

Experts caution that the polls, which different news agencies have published, have a history of inaccuracy and lack of impartiality.

 

Nevertheless, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Mr Modi has emerged as the frontrunner in the general election.

 

The BJP, the main opposition Congress party, and regional rivals engaged in a heated campaign over seven phases of polling.

 

The results are scheduled to be announced on 4 June.

 

A party or coalition must secure a minimum of 272 seats in parliament to form a government.

 

Based on exit polls, the BJP-led coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is poised to surpass expectations by potentially securing about two-thirds of the seats.

 

After the voting ended, Mr. Modi confidently declared his victory without mentioning the exit polls.

 

What do the exit polls indicate?

 

In the recent election, Prime Minister Modi entered with strong public support. Still, his main competitor, Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress and a coalition of opposition parties gained considerable traction throughout the extensive campaign.

 

According to recent exit polls, the BJP-led NDA is projected to secure significant victories. However, the reliability of such surveys can vary.

 

Based on the available data, the NDA is projected to secure a significant number of seats, ranging from 355 to 380.

 

According to TGE news, the INDIA bloc is projected to secure 125 to 165 seats.

 

Based on current projections, the BJP is expected to secure around 327 seats, falling short of its initial goal of 370.

 

This election is of significant importance.

 

India's population of 1.4 billion makes it the most populous country in the world. Organizing a nationwide election in such a populous country is an immense undertaking.

 

Approximately 969 million citizens were eligible to vote, equivalent to several significant countries' combined populations.

 

What were the key stories that dominated the election news?

 

The polling for the election, which concluded just hours ago, started on 19 April.

The season was characterized by impassioned speeches from politicians, many rallies, verbal attacks, sarcastic remarks, and propaganda as political parties sought to outmaneuver their rivals - both in person and on the internet.

 

Plenty of incidents made headlines. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in a liquor policy case just days before polling began sparked strong criticism from opposition leaders and even some sections of the media.

 

Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the actions of the BJP government, alleging an attempt to stifle their voices and hinder fair competition. However, the BJP has refuted these allegations.

 

Mr. Kejriwal was granted bail on 10 May to campaign for the elections.

 

Nevertheless, he will be required to return to jail on 2 June.

 

During the election, there were numerous reports of politicians and party workers tampering with voting machines, instances of Muslims being denied their right to vote in certain areas, and parties flouting the Model Code of Conduct - guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure fair and unbiased elections.

 

Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the commission's response to their complaints against the BJP, which the ECI has refuted.

 

What were the factors that influenced people's voting decisions in this election?

 

The inauguration of the Ram temple, a significant campaign promise for the BJP, along with the government's welfare schemes, is anticipated to have positive implications for the ruling party.

 

However, many voters' concerns were centered on the high unemployment rate and the increasing prices of essential commodities such as food and fuel.

 

The opposition, activists, and global rights organizations made allegations during the election, claiming that Indian democracy is encountering notable challenges. These may have influenced individuals' voting choices.