India's Electoral Evolution: From Ballots to Electronic Voting and the Rise of Digital Campaigns

India is known as the world's largest democracy and its success in managing its electoral process has been hailed as a remarkable feat, given its diverse population and challenging terrain. The country's ability to conduct elections on such a massive scale has been a source of inspiration for democracies around the world. The country has seen significant transformations in its electoral process over the years, reflecting the changing political and social landscape of the nation.

The first general elections in India were held in 1951-52, marking a significant milestone in the country's democratic journey. The event witnessed a massive turnout of over 60% of eligible voters, and the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, emerged victorious, forming the first democratically elected government in the country. Since then, India has seen its seventeenth general elections.

Over the years, the electoral process in India has undergone significant changes. The introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the late 1990s replaced the traditional ballot paper system, making the process more efficient, accurate, and transparent.

India's diverse cultural and political landscape is reflected in the varied electoral patterns across its 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state has unique political and cultural characteristics, resulting in varying voter turnout percentages and the registered political parties' differences. In some states, regional parties hold sway over national parties, while in others, the reverse is true.

The 2019 general elections saw the highest-ever voter turnout in the country's history, with over 67.33% of eligible voters exercising their franchise. The election saw a major victory for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who secured a second term in office.

In the current political scenario identity politics has played a significant role in recent elections in India. This refers to the use of social and cultural identities like caste, religion, and language to appeal to voters. The use of identity politics has increased over time, and it has become an essential aspect of election campaigns. Political parties are increasingly using caste arithmetic to form alliances and to gain the support of different communities. This has resulted in the emergence of regional parties that cater to the specific needs of a particular community or region. The shift towards identity politics has transformed the electoral landscape in India, and it has brought to the fore issues like social justice and equality.

Digital media has become a backbone of election campaigns in India. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp have become powerful tools for political parties to reach out to voters. India has more than 820 million active internet users and more than 450 million of them use social media. This presents a huge opportunity for political parties to engage with voters, and they are increasingly using digital media to spread their message. However, the use of digital media has also raised concerns about the spread of fake news and misinformation, and political parties need to be vigilant to avoid these pitfalls.

In conclusion, elections in India have transformed with space and time. The interconnectivity of state and national politics, the rise of identity politics, and the emergence of digital media have all played a significant role in shaping the electoral landscape in India.