What’s at stake as India votes in the world’s largest election in history?

In 2024, more of the planet’s population will vote than ever before. What’s at stake as India votes in the world’s largest election in history?

On The Record’s Jeff Bullen is joined by Curtin University’s PhD candidate Aviroop Gupta to discuss what this next election means for India and how it’ll affect the people. This is the last chance for the Indian people to save democracy before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is voted in for a rare, third consecutive term.

PhD Candidate Aviroop Gupta said that “Looking at the massive number of people whose lives are going to be impacted by its outcome, this election is arguably the most important in human history, the results of which will determine the future of democracy in India. According to the V-Dem Institute, India is now an ‘electoral autocracy’.

Opposition leaders are being targeted and put into prison under dubious charges. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has grown disproportionately powerful with an overwhelming majority of political funding going to their account. On the other hand, there are allegations that they are freezing the bank accounts of the Congress party. The BJP might lose only if people vote on livelihood issues (like unemployment and price rises), and not on emotive issues like nationalism and religion.”

For more information on the upcoming Indian Election, you can read”Why a controversial Hindu temple in India could prove pivotal to Narendra Modi’s party in upcoming elections“, the article written by PhD candidate Aviroop Gupta.