Unique and interesting facts and records of Lok Sabha elections
This year, India, the world's largest democracy, goes to polls to elect the 17th Lok Sabha. The General Election is scheduled to be held from 11 April-19 May. It's the biggest voting event in the world and around 900 million voters will elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha. As the country gears up for the polls, here are some interesting facts and records.
Highest ever voter turnout and the most expensive election
The highest-ever election turnout in the history of Indian General Elections was recorded in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The overall voter turnout that year was around 65.85%, the highest ever in the 16 General Elections conducted since 1951. The 2014 General Election was also the most expensive ever as it cost the exchequer nearly Rs. 3,500 crore, as per the Election Commission's estimates.
The smallest and largest Lok Sabha constituencies
In India, the smallest and largest Lok Sabha constituencies in terms of the number of eligible voters (as of 2014) are Lakshadweep and Malkajgiri (Hyderabad, Telangana), respectively. In 2014, Lakshadweep had nearly 50,000 voters while Malkajgiri had around 29.5 lakh. However, the smallest constituency area-wise (as of 2004) is Chandni Chowk, Delhi (10.59 sqkm) while the biggest is Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (73,266.37 sqkm).
#3: Highest number of polling stations for Lok Sabha elections
The number of polling stations in India has also gone up along with the increasing number of voters. For the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a record number of 10.35 lakh polling stations would be set up across the country compared to 9.28 lakh in 2014.
The longest election for Lok Sabha so far
The 2019 General Election, which is scheduled to take place between 11 April and 19 May this year, would be the longest election in the country in terms of the number of days the polling is held for. The 2019 Lok Sabha polls would be conducted in seven phases spread across 39 days. Previously, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were spread over 36 days.
The most unsuccessful candidate in elections
Dr. K Padmarajan hailing from Tamil Nadu's Salem reportedly holds the record being the most unsuccessful candidate in elections not only in India but the world. As of 2018, he fought 181 elections and spent over Rs. 20 lakh for filing nominations but didn't win any. He is also called the "Election King". He unsuccessfully contested 28 Lok Sabha elections (as of 2015).
