Lok Sabha Election 2024 in Seven Phases

From North to South, Lok Sabha Election 2024 in Seven Phases

BY AMREEN AHMAD

The Lok Sabha elections, held every five years, are a cornerstone of India's democratic process, where the electorate exercises its fundamental right to choose its representatives. The recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in 2024 witnessed a plethora of candidates vying for seats across the 543 constituencies of the country. A total of 8,337 candidates contested across the 543 constituencies, reflecting the diverse political landscape of the nation. Out of the analyzed candidates, 20% or 1,643 candidates had declared criminal cases against them. This statistic highlights the persisting issue of criminalization of politics in India. Furthermore, 14% of the candidates, total 1,191, had declared serious criminal cases, indicating the gravity of the situation. A significant portion of the candidates, accounting for 31% or 2,572 individuals, were classified as "Crorepati" candidates, indicating their substantial wealth. In terms of educational qualifications, 51% or 4,211 candidates were graduates or above, underlining the increasing educational attainment among political aspirants. It is noteworthy that 3% or 264 candidates had not declared their Permanent Account Number (PAN), raising transparency concerns regarding financial disclosures. Despite efforts to promote gender equality in politics, only 10% or 797 of the total candidates were women. This underscores the persistent gender gap in political representation in India. The analysis of candidates in the Lok Sabha elections offers valuable insights into the state of Indian democracy and the challenges it faces. The prevalence of candidates with criminal backgrounds underscores the urgent need for electoral reforms to ensure the integrity and accountability of elected representatives. The significant presence of wealthy candidates highlights the influence of money power in politics, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and equitable opportunities for all aspirants. While the increasing educational qualifications among candidates are promising, there is still a long way to go in terms of gender parity and inclusive representation in politics.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF CANDIDATES
Total number of constituencies analyzed	543
Total candidates analyzed by NEW	8337
Candidates with declared criminal cases	1643(20%)
Candidates with declared serious criminal cases	1191(14%)
Crorepati candidates	2572(31%)
Candidates who are graduate or above	4211 (51%)
Candidates who have not declared PAN	264 (3%)
Total women candidates	797 (10%)