Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar lauds the Indian voters, calling the elections “a miracle”
India has once again demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of its democracy, as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar announced on Monday (June 3, 2024) that the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls recorded the highest voter turnout in the world. With an unprecedented 642 million voters participating in the elections, India set a global benchmark, highlighting the country’s democratic ethos and the enthusiasm of its electorate.
 
Historic Voter Turnout
 
Addressing a press conference, CEC Rajiv Kumar lauded the Indian voters, calling the elections “a miracle.” He remarked, “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.”
 
The seven-phase elections saw significant participation from various demographics, including an impressive turnout of 312 million women voters, surpassing the total number of women voters in the EU's most recent national elections. Kumar highlighted the dedication and enthusiasm of elderly voters, particularly those aged 85 and above, who he described as “the heroes of our democracy.” These senior citizens have witnessed India's journey from pre-independence to its current status as the world's largest democracy.
 
Fewer Repolls and Enhanced Electoral Integrity
 
The meticulous efforts of the election personnel resulted in a significantly lower number of repolls compared to previous elections. “We saw 39 repolls in Lok Sabha polls 2024 as opposed to 540 in 2019, and 25 out of 39 repolls were in just two states,” Kumar noted. This reduction underscores the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the electoral process.
 
The CEC also extended special thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the voter turnout in the state was the highest in the last four decades. This marks a significant achievement given the region's complex socio-political landscape and reaffirms the faith of its people in the democratic process.
 
Kumar emphasized that the integrity of the elections was meticulously maintained throughout the seven phases. “Identified, confronted and tackled muscle, money, misinformation and MCC violations – impediments to free, fair, and transparent elections were addressed and responded to,” he stated. The Election Commission made a record seizure of almost Rs 10,000 crores during this election, nearly three times the amount seized in 2019, reflecting its commitment to ensuring a corruption-free electoral process.
 
As the nation awaits the results, which are scheduled to be declared on June 4, the Chief Election Commissioner assured the public of the robustness of the counting process. “The entire counting process is absolutely robust. It works similar to the precision of a clock,” he affirmed, allaying any concerns about the possibility of errors or wrongdoing.
 
The final phase of polling recorded an approximate voter turnout of 61.63% as of late Monday night. The state-wise voter turnout varied, with Chandigarh at 67.9% and West Bengal at 73.36%, reflecting a strong engagement from the electorate. 
 
The 2024 Indian elections have not only set a new record for voter turnout but have also highlighted the enduring strength of India’s democratic processes. As the counting of votes approaches, the nation and the world watch closely, awaiting the official outcome of one of the most significant electoral exercises in history.