site.btaIndian Opposition Questions Exit Polls: Ruling Party Cites Potential Election Process Disruption

The Indian National Congress (INC) has criticized and questioned the exit polls from the recent parliamentary elections. The governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has responded by accusing the opposition of trying to destabilize the voting process.

The polls suggest a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with National Democratic Alliance, the BJP-led coalition, projected to secure a significant majority in the Lok Sabha.

Exit poll data predicts BJP will secure between 361 and 401 seats, while the INC-led INDIA alliance is expected to win between 131 and 166 seats, out of 545. The Indian Parliament requires a simple majority of at least 272 seats in the lower chamber.

If Modi wins, he will be the second leader after Jawaharlal Nehru to hold power over three consecutive terms.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused INC, INDIA, and several NGOs of trying to disrupt the electoral process. The ruling party has also urged the Election Commission to prevent any violence or disorder during the vote counting for the Lok Sabha.

***

India, the world's most densely populated country with over 1.4 billion people, holds the longest parliamentary elections lasting 44 days. Approximately 970 million citizens are eligible to vote, including 18 million first-time voters and 197 million under 30 years old.

The number of registered voters surpasses the combined populations of the European Union and the United States. Around 15 million people are responsible for organizing and securing the voting process.

The election results in India will be announced on June 4, following this lengthy democratic process. The public will elect 543 Members of Parliament for the 545-seat Lok Sabha, with the President appointing the remaining two.

Additionally, the legislative assemblies of India's 28 states and eight union territories elect the 245-seat Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, with 12 senators appointed by the head of state.