After a six-week-long national election in India, expected results indicate a likely third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi while South Africa sees a significant political shift as the ANC loses its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power.
India’s six-week-long national election concluded with hundreds of millions of voters participating. The results, expected to be a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade in power, will be announced on Tuesday. Modi, seeking a third term, could become the second Indian leader after Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve this milestone. Most polls show Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading over the opposition, led by the Congress party.
The election, which started in April, saw candidates travel nationwide as poll workers reached remote areas despite the sweltering heat. Modi’s campaign focused on economic progress but turned towards polarizing rhetoric against India’s 14% Muslim minority. After campaigning ended, Modi visited a Hindu memorial site to meditate, a move criticized by the opposition as a violation of election rules.
Pre-poll surveys indicated concerns about unemployment, rising food prices, and an overall sentiment of unequal economic benefit among voters. The final voting phase covered 57 constituencies, completing the election for all 543 seats in the lower house of the parliament. With nearly 970 million eligible voters and over 8,300 candidates, this election witnessed significant participation despite the challenges.
In Kolkata, voters queued early to avoid soaring temperatures, with Modi facing opposition from Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress party. The BJP sought expansion in eastern and southern states, traditionally dominated by regional parties, banking on Hindu majority votes.
Concurrently, South Africa saw a significant shift in its political landscape as the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority after 30 years in power. With over 99% of votes counted, the ANC received just over 40%, failing to maintain its legacy of majority rule since 1994. The election results necessitate coalition talks for the ANC to retain power and reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the new MK party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, emerged as potential coalition partners. The official results will be declared soon, and negotiations will be crucial for forming the new government.
