The Indian Air Force (IAF) performed various missions to ensure smooth conduct of the electoral process and played a vital role in the general elections of 2024. The IAF’s transport and helicopter forces are engaged in both peacetime and wartime missions and during the elections, their role was crucial in nation-building activities.
The IAF’s medium helicopters (Mi-17 type), light utility helicopters (Chetak), and the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv were used extensively. These aircraft helped with the aerial delivery of electronic voting machines and deploying Election Commission of India (ECI) personnel to remote and inaccessible areas. The IAF’s involvement was crucial in extending the ECI’s reach to the remotest parts of the country, especially those where travel by road was difficult or unsafe.
The time-bound nature of the elections required meticulous coordination. Poll officers had to be deployed to remote polling stations two days before the election and de-deployed on the day of voting. The IAF’s commitment to the task was demonstrated by flying more than 1,000 hours in over 1,750 sorties in five of the seven election phases.
Achieving this required close coordination with the ECI and the Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) of the states. Nodal officers were appointed to optimise the utilisation of assets, taking into account factors like security, weather, road connectivity etc. Additionally, helicopter assets of the Indian Army (IA) and Border Security Force (BSF) were integrated into the overall plan to ensure smooth conduct of the 2024 general elections.
The IAF’s efforts to support the electoral process underscore the role it plays not only in defending the nation but also in nation-building and supporting civil administration at a critical time.
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