Page 15 - NIS English 16-31 Jan, 2026

COVER STORY

National Voters’ Day Special

The World’s Largest Electoral Exercise-2024

97.79 743 10.2 1.5 55
Crore Polling
Crore Registered Political Lakhs Polling officials & security Lakhs
voters parties stations personnel EVMs

Law passed for 33% reservation in How many voters were registered in each Lok Sabha?
Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
Women’s participation in democracy is increasing not only Election Number of Voters Voting
in voting but also in leadership roles. While only 3% of First 17.32+ 45.67%
candidates were women in the second general election
in 1957, this number has increased to 10% in 2024. The Second 19.36+ 47.74%
number of elected women members, which was 22 in Third 21.63+ 55.42%
the first Lok Sabha and 27 in the second Lok Sabha, has
increased to 78 in the 17th Lok Sabha and 75 in the 18th Fourth 25.02+ 61.04%
Lok Sabha. The country passed the Nari Shakti Vandan
Adhiniyam in 2023, which provides for a one-third Fifth 27.41+ 55.27%
reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. In the Sixth 32.11+ 60.49%
Rajya Sabha as well, the total number of women members
was 15 in 1952, which is currently 42. This Seventh 35.62+ 56.92%
is approximately 17% of
the total members. Eighth 40.03+ 64.01%
Meanwhile, there Ninth 49.89+ 61.95%
are approximately (Voter figures
1.45 million 10th 51.15+ in crore) 55.88%
elected women
representatives 11th 59.25+ 57.94%
in Panchayati Raj 12th 60.58+ 61.97%
institutions across the
country, which is about 13th 61.95+ 59.99%
46% of the total elected 67.14+
representatives. This 14th 58.07%
is unique in the world. 15th 71.69+ 58.21%
21 states in the country
have provided for 50% 16th 83.40+ 66.44%
reservation in Panchayats, 17th 91.15+ 67.40%
compared to the 33%
mandated. 18th 97.79+ 65.79%

crucial role in achieving this recognition for the country. Perhaps this is why, at a time when concerns are being
Indeed, India has a rich history of republicanism. The raised about the weakening of democratic institutions
democratic values, nurtured through India’s Constitu- worldwide, democracy in India continues to strengthen.
tion after independence, draw their inspiration from From the traditions of Vaishali, Kapilavastu, and Mithila,
a republican tradition that is thousands of years old. India has learned that no single class or dynasty can

January 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 13