2014 Indian general elections
2014 Indian general elections
The 2014 Indian general elections, held from April 7 to May 12, marked the 16th Lok Sabha elections since India's independence in 1947. These elections were significant as they were characterized by a high voter turnout of approximately 66.4%, the highest since 1984. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, emerged as the dominant political force, winning 282 seats out of 543, thus securing an outright majority for the first time since 1984. The elections were conducted in nine phases, with a total of 8,251 candidates contesting. The results had a profound impact on Indian politics, leading to a decisive shift in governance and policy direction, as well as setting a precedent for future electoral strategies within the country.