Top 10 highlights from Elections 2014

The excitement from Elections 2014 refuses to faze out. The country has voted, a party has now been elected to power and India is ready to walk a new path. Let's revisit the top highlights that marked General Elections 2014.

1. Longest election in India's history

The Indian general election of 2014 was held to elect the 16th Lok Sabha in nine phases, from 7 April to 12 May 2014, spread over 36 days to vote members of parliament to all 543 parliamentary constituencies of India. This was the longest election in the country's history. (Election Commission of India - ECI).

2. Largest ever election in the world

Electoral population in 2014 election was 814.5 million, making it the largest ever election in the world. (ECI)

3. 100 million new voters

There has been an increase in newly eligible voters of 100 million since the last general election in 2009 (ECI).

4. 16 May, 2014 - Judgement Day

Counting took place within a single day, according to Al Jazeera at 989 counting centers in India and the result was announced in the evening of 16 May, 2014.

5. Highest ever voter turnout recorded

The average election turnout over all 9 phases was around 66.38%, the highest ever in the history of Indian General Elections (ECI).

6. Over 60 Lakh Indians press NOTA

Voters for the first time exercised the 'None of the Above' option in the Lok Sabha polls. 1.10 % of the electorate, 60,00,197 voters to be precise, pressed the NOTA button in this election. (ECI)

7. Most expensive Election - costing around 30,000 crore rupees

The official expenses are part of the whopping Rs 30,000 crore that were projected to be spent by the government, political parties and candidates in Elections 2014.

The Centre for Media Studies, an independent not-for-profit research organization has stated in several news media reports that parties have spent close to 6 billion US$ for campaigning.

Spends can be attributed to roads shows, online ads, cash, helicopters etc. India comes close on the heels of 7 billion US$ spent on the US 2012 presidential election.

8. Election expenditure per candidate raised to 70 lakh

The government this time raised the cap of spending per candidate from Rs 40 lakh to 70 lakh for most states in India.

9. 34% MPs elected have criminal charges against them.

186 out of 543 MPs elected in the current Lok Sabha in 2014 have criminal cases against them.

(For more information, please visit http://www.jaagore.com/power-of-49/i-know-what-you-did-last-election)

10. 65% women voted in 2014, 62 Female MPs won.

ECI reported that from the registered women voter base, 65% women voted in Elections 2014. This has significantly increased from women voter turnout back in 2009 which was 57.23%. (ECI) Furthermore, 11% women candidates were elected in 2014 - Only 62 MPs from a total of 543 MPs elected are women. (ADR)

10 questions every Indian woman must ask the New Government

The tables have turned. The Jury has declared its verdict. With great expectations and distant dreams, the #PowerOf49 marched up to the polling booth and cast their votes. Now what?

Well, it's our job to ensure that the party we voted to power carries out their job. As women, your agenda is to constantly remind the Government to reverse the state of affairs, so every woman in India can live a fulfilled and contented life.

Make sure you hold the new Government answerable to these important questions.

1. What have you done with the 1000 crore Nirbhaya fund so far?

2. What are you going to do about my safety? I need specific answers.

3. When are you going to stop shaming victims of sexual abuse?

4. When are you going to recognise marital rape as "rape"?

5. What are you going to do remove the stigma of the 'girl child' in India?

6. If I'm a survivor of rape, do you have concrete provisions and plans for my rehabilitation?

7. What are you going to do to change the mentality of society towards a woman?

8. Why haven't you passed the 33% woman's reservation bill in the Parliament yet? Why do we have less than 10% women in politics till today?

9. What can be done to make women believe that approaching the Police for help is not futile?

10. When will our hopes of a better healthcare, better education facilities and better job opportunities see the light of the day?

Will the Government take the onus upon themselves?

While many provisions for women have been announced in the past, the onus is on the next Government to pull through the many proposals and projects that are dedicated to women.

And that can only happen if the #PowerOf49 makes their voices loud enough for them to hear. So let's gather and stand together for one aim – let's free women of all the society's ills once and for all.

Exit polls - Fact or Fiction?

India is gearing up for Judgement Day - May 16, 2014, when the results of the mammoth General Elections 2014 will be announced. Currently, a slew of exit polls have been doing the rounds, with people trying to predict who could be the new Prime Minister of India.

What is an exit poll?

An exit poll is a poll conducted to gauge the outcome of an election before the results are out – simply put; an exit poll is conducted to predict which party will form the new government, before the official verdict is revealed to the general public.

It must be noted that exit polls do not in any way, provide accurate results of the elections

What are the terms and conditions related to an exit poll?

According to a circular sent to chief editors / heads of television channels and print media and all chief electoral officers,

“No person shall conduct, publish or publicize any exit poll through print or electronic media from the moment polling begins, until half an hour after polling concludes in all States and Union Territories.”

Should exit polls be conducted?

Exit polls are conducted to gather public sentiment on ‘who would form the next government’.

However, conducting exit polls before counting day could influence public opinion if it is discovered that repolling or countermanding (declare a vote or election invalid) may have to be organised in certain constituencies before counting day.

3 Reasons Why Bangalore Must Vote

The country's IT capital has certainly come a long way, but namma Bangalore knows a lot more needs to be done to make it a much more comfortable and happier city to live in.

On 17 April 2014, Bangalore goes to vote. Let's look at the top three changes Bangalore is in dire need of.

1. Increased cost of living

Bangalore has the third highest cost of living in India according to the recent consumer price index (source:www.numbeo.com)

Be it fuel, vegetables, transportation or any basic day-to-day provisions - they are simply getting more and more expensive. Even housing rent isn’t affordable any more – with no rent control in place, these prices will only skyrocket.

Voters need to ensure that the party in power after the General Elections 2014 definitely attends to the increased cost of living in the city.

2. Clean City No More

The Steps Centre reports that the city produces around 4000 tonnes of solid waste each day. Most of this is dumped in land fill sites near villages on the city's outskirts.

Bangalore has even made news in The New York Times and the city was refered to having a "stinking mountain of trash".

Clean City Green City is today called Garbage City. It's so common to see litter strewn across carelessly on the streets of Bangalore. There isn't a reliable hygiene and sanitation system – garbage is not even disposed off in the correct way.

A sound civic governance is the need of the hour.

3. Heavy Road Traffic and Unsafe Transportation

Bangalore is notorious for its traffic problems.

Furthermore, overcharging and misbehavior by auto rickshaw drivers is the bane of the city's transport convenience, especially for women. It also must be noted that there aren’t many alternate modes of transport options available exclusively for women.

2508 pins were pushed in Bangalore under the Category 'Unsafe Transportation' on Push the Pin.

Addressing the clear lack of safe transport options for women must be a priority, apart from solving the traffic congestion issue.

Bangalore – Get Inked!

Water shortage, loadshedding and several other problems plague the city, apart from the ones mentioned above.

So what are you waiting for?

Make sure you vote for a party that addresses the top 3 concerns. Make sure you vote, so you cannot complain about these issues. Go out, make an informed choice, and vote, Bangalore!

10 Photos That WIll Make You Want To Vote

General Elections 2014 has set the country alight with frenzy. Many of us voted, some never voted, and a few were unable to cast their votes.

Let's revisit Elections 2014 - here are 10 images of people who have gone through thick and thin just to be able to vote in #Election2014.

Take a look at some Power Voters below. They should make you want to vote too.

World's Shortest Woman Votes!

Jyoti Amge aged 20 years and a first-time voter, shows her voter ID and ink-marked finger after casting her vote in Nagpur. Jyoti holds Guinness World Record as the smallest woman (2 ft 0.6 in).

90 year old Voting for Peace

90-yr-old Rashidan a resident of Muzaffarnagar, said that she's voting for peace.

Voting on Wedding Day!

A young couple in Nagpur pushed their wedding back by a few hours, just so that they could go and vote. The groom said, "Today is my wedding day, and we embark on a new life. So the first thing we have done together is voting for the right Government."

His Vote Matters

An elderly man proudly displays the inked finger after voting at Lajpat Nagar, Delhi on April 10.

A Retired Doctor Votes

This 75-year-old retired doctor is in a wheelchair and yet she voted because she does not think that exercising her right to vote is a burden.

Voting since 1962

Rajesh Sah has been voting since 1962 - almost ever since our democracy came into being.

97-year-old woman votes

Yashodabai Saboo, 97 years old was taken to vote at the Hyderabad elections.

Voting on her daughter's wedding day

On her daughter's wedding day, which happened to be the day Mumbai went to vote, Meena Chendvankar woke up early in the morning to cast her vote, despite her name not showing up on the voter list. The election officers wouldn't allow her to find her name at the election office, so she showed the mehendi on her hands to them and told them, "I have important things to do today. But finding my name in that sheet is equally important for all of us!" She finally cast her vote in Mumbai and proceeded to her daughter's marriage.

Ailing elderly woman votes, and encourages others to vote

A 79-year-old ailing woman displays her inked finger early in the morning. She also instructed her nurse to go back to home to go cast her vote, which is in a distant part of Bangalore.

Election officials at work in Kashmir

Election official carries an electronic voting machine across a makeshift bridge after picking it up from a distribution centre in Doda, Kashmir on April 16.

Vote for India

If these ten incredible photo stories do not shake you out of the numbness we all have been conditioned to - what else will? Make sure you exercise your basic right as an Indian citizen - go out and vote - be a part of the world's largest democracy voting for change this summer.

3 Most Asked Questions About Voter List

Voter List, Electoral List or the Electoral Roll – people call the list that has the names of the voters in each constituency by many names, and they all seem to have the same doubts.

Here's shedding some light:

1. My name is on the Electoral List, but I haven’t received my Voter ID yet

You don't need a Voter ID to vote as long as your name is on the electoral roll. However, it's advisable that you carry any one of the following identity documents prescribed by the ECI:

• The Photo Voter slip issued by the Election Office
• Passport
• Driving License
• Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central / State Govt. PSUs / Public limited companies
• Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank / Post Office
• PAN card
• AADHAAR card
• Smart card issued by RGI under NPR
• MNREGA Job Card
• Health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of M/o Labour
• Pension document with photograph

Even outside the polling station, booth level officers will help you find your name on the Voter List, and help create your Voter ID.

2. I have voted in the past but my name isn't on the Voter List this year.

Unfortunately, you cannot vote this time. The electoral roll is revised every year. There's every chance of your name getting deleted if you were not present at the address or you moved house etc. during revision.

On 26 March 2014, the ECI stopped enrollment of names on the Voter List.

After the General Elections 2014, you can file an application to enroll your name on the Voter List and obtain your Voter ID.

3. If my name is not on the Voter List, can I use Form 7 to register to vote?

You cannot do that. Form 7 is used when one wishes to delete his or her name from the electoral roll.

Special camps were held on March 9 across the country to provide spot registrations to those who didn't register earlier.

It is not possible for officials to conduct spot registration on the polling day.

For voters who have registered post January 1, 2014

Your name may not appear on the voter list displayed on the ECI website. Even with the SMS option on the ECI website, chances are that you may not be able to confirm if your name is on the Voter List.

Such newly registered voters can come to the polling station with their EPIC number or any alternate ID proof - their names should appear in the updated voter list that poll officials will carry at the polling booths.

For more information, please go to: http://www.jaagore.com/vote/votervalidation/

Source: ECI

Knowledge partner: Haiyya

Top 6 Reasons Why Mumbai Must Vote

Mumbai is said to be the most populous and also the wealthiest city in India. Yet the civic standards and quality of life seem cumbersome as many are scraping to survive.

The 'City of Dreams' has today turned into a city seething with problems that has no immediate solutions, and Mumbaikars are reeking under the decay of India's financial capital.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Survey, has listed Mumbai among the worst cities in the world in 2012.

Mumbai goes to vote on 24 April for the General Elections 2014. Will the citizens of the 'City that Never Sleeps' be awake on this landmark day? We churn out the top six reasons why Mumbai should definitely vote in Elections 2014.

1. Unaffordable Housing and Rent

It has become impossible for the common man to afford a house in Mumbai. Moreover, Census 2011 reported that about 60% of Mumbai lives in slums, with limited access to the most basic civic amenities. In fact at the heart of Mumbai lies Asia's largest slum - Dharavi - a sore mark on the financial capital of India.

2. Clogged Lifeline of Mumbai: Trains and Transport

World Bank recently stated that Mumbai's suburban trains suffer from some of the most severe overcrowding in the world: 4500 passengers in trains that can bear only 1700 commuters.

The average Mumbaikar reported spends 3-4 hours just travelling to and fro from work. Overcrowded trains, heavy traffic and unpleasant commute is a hassle all Mumbaikars desparingly deal with every single day.

3. Toxic City - Thick Layers of Pollution

Excess of air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and solid waste pollution is known to make Mumbai one of the most toxic cities in India. Civic authorities have to take concrete action to reverse this disturbing trend.

4. Island city facing Acute Water Cuts

Urban research and action collective groups report that 30 to 50% of loss of water is because of leakages in the pipelines, illegal water connections and mismanaged distribution of water.

Contaminated water supply especially across the slums in Mumbai has given birth to several diseases infesting the city today.

5. Rising Crime at the City's Underbelly

Indian Express reported a total number of 34,442 criminal cases recorded in 2013. Murder, rape and kidnapping and extortion with low conviction rates has made Mumbai a home for criminals. Underground crime gangs have to be curbed and power has to be transferred rightfully to the citizens of Mumbai instead.

6. 'Chalta Hai' attitude

In 2009, just months after the 26/11 terror attacks, less than 50% voters participated in the country's General elections and the city elections.

The politicians are well aware of this, and know who their votebanks are. So often, the urban and educated voters refrain from voting.

The apathy and the indifference Mumbaikars project has to stop. People have to break the habit of compromising with all the city's ills; people must take a stand and make their leaders pay attention to them.

Go and Vote, Mumbai!

Elections 2014 can be the road to redemption for Mumbai.

Mumbaikars have to rise up to the one occassion where the citizens can show their leaders that they are watching them, and are bringing them to power, with expectations and hopes of a better life for each one of the residents of Maximum City, Mumbai.

7 Most Inspiring Quotes by Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, a 16 year old from Pakistan, was shot in the head in 2012, for defying extremists’ policies in her country that banned girls from attending school.

Her only crime? She dared to go to school.

Malala survived the brutal attack on her, and today is an education activist.

Here are some inspiring quotes that remind us, how education can truly make this world, a much more mature place to live in.

If a single young girl like Malala can stir the world to fight for a woman's right to education, why can't the #PowerOf49?

4 Women. 3 Generations. 1 Commitment

The PowerOf49 Passed Down the Generations.

This is a story of four women voters from a single family.

At a time when many educated people do not even register to vote - we meet a special family - where voting has been a family tradition, almost as old as the family itself. Almost as old as our democracy.

Where women have led this tradition, and are continuing to carry it forward.

Many Governments have come together; many have fallen, but the women in this family have never failed to honour their right to vote.

We meet them in their humble abode in the city of Bangalore to ask them why most women in their family have never missed voting in the Indian elections.

Chathambeth Bharathy, 82, former employee at Airport Authority of India, Grandmother

I have been voting ever since India's first election. I've never missed an election.

Politics wasn't a dirty game in those days.

I was head of the Student Congress back in the days. I even participated in many of Gandhi's hunger strikes.

I hail from Kerala, a matrilineal society, where the woman's family name is passed down the generations. Even though women were not allowed to step out or go shopping for groceries or household necessities, women were allowed to vote.

My children have always seen me voting and perhaps they derive their encouragement to go and vote from me.

Asked why she casts her vote unfailingly in every election, she cheekily says, "It's my right, na!"

Chathambeth Girija, 49, Former Teacher and Mother

I have been voting all these years because it's my right. My mother has been my inspiration.

I always vote for whoever I feel is efficient. Whoever I think is a true democrat.

Lots of women have been voting since the years I've been voting. It was quite a normal trend.

Chathambeth Padmini, 83, Grand-aunty

I started voting ever since I turned 21, right from the first Indian election.

Back then there was a strong sense of patriotism in the air; it was right after India won Independence. At the polling booths, there would be long queues of people waiting to cast their votes. People would go with their families to vote.

So much violence and corruption didn't exist then - politics was straightforward and simple in those days.

I find my vote of acute importance. Recently, I had a paralysis attack and it was hard for me to literally move. During the last election, my name wasn't on the voter list. My granddaughter went to the polling booth to ensure that my name appears on the list. She took me there in an auto. Only after casting my vote, my health improved.

Chathambeth Bhavna Suresh, 25, Business Development Manager, Granddaughter.

I was 18 years old when I voted for the first time.

I'm seeing more youngsters now than I did in the previous elections.

The youth doesn't really believe in the concept of politics. I think there's a common misconception that 'one vote' cannot make a difference. I see that slowly changing. In every little way, one vote can make a difference.

In my family, nobody has been forced to vote. We vote because we feel a sense of responsibility.

In fact, there are a few members in my family who don't vote. It makes me angry. I'm not the most patriotic person, but it takes ten minutes of your time to go out and vote.

Who will You Vote for in the General Elections 2014?

For a month, Tata Tea Jaago Re tied up with CNN IBN to spread the message of empowering the woman voters in our country to make an informed choice and vote. The #PowerOf49 showed involved discussions with leading personalities on crucial women's issues; that women of India shared with us on Push the Pin every week. The 10-point #PowerOf49 manifesto is a result of that, where a point-by-point agenda has been framed to address the most critical women's issues and measures to correct them. The manifesto was presented to 3 representatives from 3 leading political parties.

Various women's issues were discussed with the political representatives. These are some of the opinions each political representative had with respect to some of the issues:

Kapil Sibal:

Point of view on Women's Safety

"Women's Safety is not a political issue. It's a social responsibility. When a man misbehaves with a woman on the street, it's not the politician's fault; it's the man's mindset. This is a mindset problem."

Action Point on #PowerOf49 manifesto - 1 crore toilets in 1 year

"I support 1 crore toilets. It's possible if all bodies involved co-operate."

Smriti Irani:

Point of view on Women in Parliament

"Women's participation in politics is a challenge before us."

Action Point on #PowerOf49 manifesto - Zero Tolerance for perpetrators of crime in parties

"Criminal candidates will not be contesting."

Yogendra Yadav

Point of view on Khap Panchayats

"All Khap Panchayat verdicts not acceptable."

Action Point on #PowerOf49 Manifesto - 1 crore toilets in 1 year

"We will happily commit to this number."

Now that you, the voter, have an idea of what each party has to say about important issues faced by women in India, ask yourself 5 questions before casting your vote:

1. Does the candidate have any criminal or corruption charges/records?

2. Is the candidate ensuring safe streets & public transport for women?

3. Is the candidate constructing clean and operational public toilets for women?

4. Is the candidate committed to providing safe and specialised medical care for women?

5. Is the candidate promoting education of the girl child and women?

Only after you have the answers to these 5 questions must you go ahead, make an informed choice and vote for the right candidate!

Register to vote here:http://www.jaagore.com/vote/register-to-vote/

Read the manifesto here:http://www.jaagore.com/the-powerof49-manifesto

Want to watch the entire show? Watch this space for a link to the show!