NEW DELHI, June 2 : Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar on Sunday lauded the successful holding of general elections in India and congratulated the people of India “for exemplifying their status as the world’s bastion of democracy”. The German Foreign Office also extended its congratulations on conduct of the elections.
In a post on X, the Nigerian Foreign Minister said his country as the largest democracy in Africa joins India in “championing democracy”.
“Congratulations to the people of #India @DrSJaishankar for exemplifying their status as the world’s bastion of democracy. “This historic election, which lasted 44 days, was the largest-ever in history, with more than 968 million eligible voters out of a population of 1.4 billion.
“As the largest democracy in Africa, we join you in championing democracy, which is a key pillar of our 4Ds foreign policy agenda.
“Congratulations once again on a successful electoral season,” he posted.
In response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked him.
The German Foreign Office also congratulated the Indian people for the successful conduct of the mammoth elections, and said they are looking forward to working with India’s new government and taking cooperation to the next level.
“Congratulations to the Indian people for successfully concluding the world’s largest democratic #elections ? we are looking forward to working with India’s new government and to taking our cooperation with #India to the next level,” it wrote on X.
India successfully conducted the 18th General Elections, which were staggered over seven phases — from April 19 to June 1, 2024, to elect 543 members of the Lok Sabha or lower house.
The first phase was held on April 19 and the last phase on June 1.
The elections saw voting being held across more than a million polling stations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress – the two largest parties that have headed most of the governments in India – fielded 769 candidates this year.
The elections also saw more than 30 other parties, like the DMK, Samajwadi Party, JD-U, TMC, etc, contesting. These parties had won at least one seat in the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2019.
In addition to the 4,440 candidates fielded by different parties, the elections also saw 3,920 people contesting as independent candidates — which together make 8,360 candidates, which is the largest in 28 years.
These elections saw home-voting facility, introduced for the first time in the country on pan-India basis, with democracy being taken to the doorsteps of those who are encumbered by physical limitations. Many voters aged above 85 years and those with physical disabilities with 40% benchmark disability opted to vote from the comfort of their homes.
Counting will be held on June 4. (UNI)
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