How to Vote in the 2024 General Election?

2024 is the year of elections, as the world’s largest democracies will hold polls this year. India, often cited as the biggest democracy in the world, will be holding the General or Lok Sabha elections. 

The Lok Sabha elections are the biggest and most important democratic event in the country. These elections are held to elect the new members in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, and the next central government. The outcome of these elections will have a significant impact on the political landscape and the lives of 1.4 billion people for the next five years. 

The Election Commission of India announced the tentative date of the general elections, which are most likely to be held between April and May. The tenure of the current central government, or the 17th Lok Sabha, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to end on June 16, 2024. 

Related | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date

Who can vote in the Lok Sabha elections?

India's democratic system is built on the premise of universal adult suffrage, which means that any person above the age of 18 can vote in Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha elections. The right to vote exists regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender. People who are declared unsound in mind and have been convicted of certain criminal charges are ineligible to vote. 

In order to vote, an individual must be:

• A citizen of India
• 18 years or older
• A resident of the constituency
• Appearing in the voter list or Electoral Roll
• Registered as a voter in the constituency
• Not disqualified under election-related law
• Not declared mentally unsound by a competent court
• Not serving a sentence of imprisonment or on parole, with certain exceptions
• Should not be disqualified under specific provisions

How to Vote in General Elections 2024?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, these are the steps you need to follow in order to vote in the general elections in 2024:

• The polling official will check your name on the voter list and verify your ID.
• The polling official will stamp your finger, give you a slip, and get your signature on a register (Form 17A).
• You must deposit the slip with the third polling official, show your inked finger, and then go to the polling booth.
• Record your vote by pushing the ballot button opposite the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). 
• You will hear a beep sound after your vote is successfully recorded. 
• Check the slip that shows in the VVPAT machine's transparent window. The slip with the Candidate serial No., Name, and Symbol must be visible for 7 seconds before dropping into the sealed VVPAT box.
• Select NOTA, or None of the Above, the final button on the EVM, if you have no preference for any candidate.

Follow the above instructions to enjoy a seamless voting experience at the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.