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Political Parties

See how different political parties have fared in Lok Sabha elections through the years

List of Political Parties in India

Election Lok Sabha Parties FAQs

Everything you need to know about the product.

Voting starts at 7 am and ends at 6 pm, but anyone in line before closing time can still vote. Closing times may vary by polling centre in different Lok sabha election constituencies.
If you were previously registered in elections but can't find your name now, you can still apply to become a voter. The Election Commission of India updates the electoral roll until the last nomination date for each phase.
To find their polling booth in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, voters can visit https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in or use the Voter Helpline App. They can also call 1950 (add your STD code before dialling) for assistance or send a message with "SPACE" to 1950.
To vote, ensure your name is on the voter list for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Check via: Website: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in Call: 1950 (add your STD code) App: Voter Helpline App
NOTA, short for "none of the above," appears at the bottom of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Pressing it indicates the voter's rejection of all election candidates. Unlike a negative vote, NOTA is neutral, has no numerical value, and doesn't contribute to the final total.
Exit Polls are surveys conducted with voters exiting polling stations after voting. The Election Commission of India has prohibited publication of exit polls from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1.
A citizen of India who hasn't acquired citizenship elsewhere and is not disqualified by law is eligible to be registered as a voter, provided he is above 18 years old. Voters aged 85 and above, as well as Persons with Disabilities with a 40 per cent benchmark disability, can avail home voting facility.
If NOTA receives the most votes in a constituency, the candidate with the second-highest number of votes is declared the winner. The Supreme Court recently asked the ECI to respond to a petition calling for new elections in constituencies where NOTA receives the highest number of votes.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a portable electronic device for recording votes in elections. The voter casts his vote by pressing the blue button on the Balloting Unit against the candidate and symbol of his choice.
The VVPAT is housed in a transparent glass case, enabling voters to view their vote. After displaying the voter slip to the voter for about seven seconds, it is deposited into a storage box, confirmed by a beep. Voters cannot access the VVPAT.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the world’s largest democratic exercise with 96.88 crore Indians eligible to vote, are underway, with polling for two out of seven phases already done (April 19 and 26). Voting will also be held on May 7, 13, 20, 25, and June 1. The counting of votes for all 543 Lok Sabha seats, will take place on June 4.


What is at stake? Who are contesting?


The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is up against the opposition INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). The NDA is seeking a third consecutive term at the Centre, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a hat-trick of wins to the country’s top post.


Bharatiya Janata Party: The nation’s ruling party since 2014, the BJP is by far the largest constituent of the NDA. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP, under its then PM candidate Narendra Modi, won 282 seats on its own, becoming the first party since 1984 to attain single-party majority. In 2019, the BJP increased its tally to 303.

Congress: The grand old party has governed India for more than 50 years post-Independence, and was last in power at the Centre from 2004 to 2014, when it led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. However, the INDIA bloc leader won only 44 and 52 seats in 2014 and 2019, respectively.

Trinamool Congress: West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool is a member of the opposition alliance, but is contesting all 42 constituencies in the state, and is up against fellow INDIA members Congress and Left.

Samajwadi Party: Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s party is contesting 63 out of 80 seats in the country’s most populous state. The remaining 17 seats have gone to the Congress.

Aam Aadmi Party: Led by jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP is contesting with the Congress in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Goa, and Chandigarh, but the two sides are up against each other in Punjab.


Janata Dal (United): The JD(U) rejoined the NDA in January after yet another ‘U-turn’ by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. It will field candidates on 16 of the state’s 40 constituencies.


Shiv Sena: The Sena is now split into two factions, with one headed by Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena: Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the other by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, recognised by the Election Commission as the ‘real’ Shiv Sena. While Thackeray is an INDIA ally, Shinde is with the NDA.


Nationalist Congress Party: The NCP, too, now stands divided into two factions: NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar) and the ‘real’ NCP, headed by Pawar’s nephew, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The Sharad camp is an INDIA constituent, and the Ajit group is in the NDA.


Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin’s DMK is in the INDIA bloc.


Rashtriya Lok Dal: The RLD was the first party to exit the INDIA bloc, and is now an NDA member.


Jharkhand Mukti Morcha: In January, INDIA member JMM’s top leader, Hemant Soren, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. He stepped down as chief minister while in ED’s custody, minutes before his formal arrest.


Rashtriya Janata Dal: Also an INDIA constituent, the RJD has fielded candidates on Bihar’s 26 Lok Sabha seats (out of 40).

....Read More
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