New Delhi [India], March 16: In a recent interaction with renowned podcaster Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared insights into the monumental efforts made by the Indian state machinery for conducting elections, specifically referencing the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. PM Modi revealed that a staggering 980 million people have registered to vote, a number that surpasses the combined population of North America and Europe.
“Anyone who believes in democracy should listen to what I’m about to share with you. There were 980 million registered voters in the 2024 general elections. This number is twice the entire population of North America and even exceeds the population of the entire European Union,” said PM Modi. He emphasized the dedication of voters, noting that 646 million individuals braved extreme weather conditions, with temperatures soaring to 40°C in some areas, to cast their votes.
“Out of the 980 million registered voters, 646 million ventured out despite the intense heat of May, determined to vote. The size of this voter base is double the population of the United States,” the Prime Minister added.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to making elections accessible to everyone, PM Modi spoke about the extensive measures taken to ensure that even the most remote areas were equipped with polling stations. “Even the remotest villages have polling stations. We use helicopters to transport polling stations when necessary. For instance, a polling booth was set up for just one voter in Gujarat’s Gir Forest,” he stated. He also mentioned Arunachal Pradesh’s high-altitude polling booth, which holds the record for being the highest polling station.
Furthermore, PM Modi spoke about the democratic nature of India, emphasizing the role of political diversity and media in strengthening democracy. “My country has more than 2,500 registered political parties. India also has over 900 round-the-clock news channels and more than 5,000 newspapers, each playing a vital role in upholding democracy,” he noted.
In discussing his government’s commitment to the welfare of all citizens, PM Modi reiterated that welfare schemes must reach their intended beneficiaries without discrimination based on caste, faith, or ideology. “My government is committed to ensuring welfare schemes reach every citizen equally, without discrimination. Trust remains the cornerstone of my governance model,” he emphasized.
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