India’s General Election Update
India’s six-week election juggernaut resumed on Friday with millions of people lining up outside polling stations in parts of the country hit by a scorching heat wave.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expected to Win Third Term
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to win a third term in the election, which concludes in early June.
Challenges Faced During Voting
Turnout in the first round of voting dropped nearly four points to 66 percent from the last election in 2019, with speculation that higher-than-average temperatures were a contributing factor.
- Modi urged voters to turn out in “record numbers” despite the heat, emphasizing the importance of high voter turnout for democracy.
- The second round of the poll faced severe heat wave conditions in several states, including districts with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
- The Election Commission formed a task force to review the impact of heat waves and humidity before each round of voting.
Weather Conditions and Voting Challenges
India’s weather bureau predicted severe heat wave conditions in several states through the weekend, affecting voter turnout in districts like eastern Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Climate Change Impact
Scientific research has shown that climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and more intense, posing challenges during election campaigns.
Rahul Gandhi’s Campaign
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is fighting to retain his seat in Kerala, urging citizens to vote to protect democracy despite facing challenges from criminal cases and opposition allegations.
Final Round of Voting and Results
More than 968 million people are eligible to participate in India’s election, with the final round of voting scheduled for June 1 and results expected three days later.
