Few Indian youngsters have registered to vote –and what that means

In 2014, India’s young first-time voters played a crucial role in bringing the Bharatiya Janata Party to power at the Centre. Exit polls found that turnout in that election among Indians ages 18 to 25 surpassed that of the general population for the first time – at around 70%.

In that election, the BJP represented hope but five years later, in 2019, it represented a mixture of fear and hope. There was fear that the state would repress those who dissented and disagreed with it. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's larger-than-life reputation and oratory skills kept the hope alive for those who still thought that he could take India higher. The party was given a second chance.

In 2024, will India’s youth support the BJP for the third time?

Voting starts on April 19 and is staggered over six weeks in seven phases, with the results scheduled to be announced on June 4.

The Election Commission of India last fortnight said that only about 38% of eligible first-time voters – 18 million out of 49 million – have registered to vote in the 2024 national elections. In Bihar, which has the country’s largest number of young people, only 17% have registered to vote. In Delhi, the centre of political action,...

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