India awaits election results as vote counting begins

NEW DELHI: The counting of votes is underway after hundreds of millions of Indians participated in the world’s largest democratic exercise to choose their new government.

Conducted in seven phases over six weeks, the mammoth election saw almost a billion registered voters cast their ballots.

The outcome will determine if Prime Minister Narendra Modi secures a rare third consecutive term for himself and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As votes are counted at thousands of heavily-guarded centers, security has been intensified nationwide.

Police and paramilitary forces have been patrolling the areas around these centers since last night, ensuring a smooth and secure counting process.

To form a government, a party or alliance must win more than 272 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha (parliament). The BJP, led by Mr. Modi, is seeking to continue its rule, drawing on its record in welfare, Hindu nationalism, national security, and Mr. Modi’s charismatic leadership.

If successful, Modi would match a record held by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, by winning a third consecutive term.

In a bid to unseat the BJP, more than two dozen opposition parties have united, challenging the exit polls that predict a BJP victory.

These parties argue that Mr. Modi’s return would threaten many freedoms in India, accusing his government of bias and denying them a level playing field.

Initially, the BJP focused its campaign on its achievements in welfare and national security.

However, as the election progressed, Mr. Modi adopted a more divisive tone, accusing the opposition, particularly the Congress party, of appeasing the Muslim minority community.

This shift raised questions about his campaign tactics and drew criticism from his rivals.

Out of power for a decade, the opposition has centered its campaign on addressing systemic inequality.

A third consecutive defeat would be a significant blow to the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, raising questions about his leadership and future prospects.

As India awaits the final results, the outcome will have profound implications for the country’s political landscape.

A victory for Mr. Modi and the BJP would reinforce their dominant position, while a win for the opposition could signal a dramatic shift in Indian politics.

BBC