New Delhi [India], December 26: In a significant move towards enhancing transparency and promoting research, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the world’s largest electoral dataset. The comprehensive dataset includes 42 statistical reports for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and 14 reports each for the four state assembly elections. This release is expected to serve as a valuable resource for academicians, researchers, and election observers globally, offering deep insights into the electoral process and trends.
The dataset encompasses a wide array of detailed information, including data on electors by Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies, the number of polling stations, voter turnout by State and constituency, party-wise vote share, gender-based voting patterns, and participation of women electors. It also includes detailed reports on party performances, candidate analysis, and constituency-specific results.
An Election Commission official stated that this exhaustive dataset allows for granular-level analysis and comparison with data from previous elections. It provides opportunities for time-series analysis, helping to track long-term trends and shifts in the electoral and political landscape.
Key highlights from the data include:
- The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a world record of 64.64 crore voters casting their votes.
- The number of nominations filed in 2024 increased to 12,459, compared to 11,692 in 2019, with 8,360 candidates contesting this year.
- Women voters outnumbered male voters, with female participation at 65.78% compared to 65.55% for males.
- The number of female candidates also rose to 800, up from 726 in 2019.
- There was a significant 46.4% increase in third-gender electors compared to 2019.
- Registered PwD electors reached 90,28,696, a significant rise from 61,67,482 in 2019.
- Repolling was minimal, with only 40 polling stations requiring it, a sharp decline from 540 in 2019.
This proactive release by the ECI is expected to address concerns about non-disclosure of election data and further reinforce the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accessibility in the electoral process.