The 2024 election results, contrary to most exit polls, have produced some surprises. They have also produced many stories of progress and setbacks, new ground and status quo, overachievement and underachievement. Here are 10 elements that defined the 2024 general election.
The trajectory of both major parties has changed in 2024
On the one hand, these polls have halted the formidable BJP’s momentum. On the other hand, after successive reversals in 2014 and 2019, the Indian National Congress has managed to almost double its number of seats and regain some of its lost ground.
Most Effective Political Party
High win ratios and strong vote share make effective political parties. Some regional parties have scored highly on both fronts. The NDA’s TDP and JD(U) have become kingmakers, as has the Indian DMK.
The BJP’s failure to repeat its 2019 success is also reflected in its margin of victory: the number of seats it won by a large margin (30% or more) fell by more than half. Conversely, the Indian National Congress doubled its number of seats and can be content with a largely satisfactory margin of victory.
benefit from vote cutting
The strong performance of third-place candidates influenced the 2024 results more than in 2019. And INC, SP and AITC benefited more from such variance than they did last time.
No benefit to women
The number of women running for office has increased each year, but the corresponding increase in the number of women elected has been slow. At the latest count, 76 women candidates are elected or leading in 2024.
The number of women elected in Uttar Pradesh fell, while Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Mandya Pradesh gained two seats each.
Fate has changed
While the Indian Union managed to flip many of the NDA’s seats in its favour, the reverse was not true: the BJP lost valuable seats in states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam and Bihar, while the Congress lost seats.
Population reduction
The Indian Union recorded significant gains in seats representing the reductions of three major population segments.
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