2024 Polls in India: A Look at Electoral Democracy in the World’s Oldest City

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA—Saturday was the last day of voting in India’s six week long election before a new government is declared on June 4. Polling booths in the ancient city known as Kashi—”city of light”—wore a festive look, decked with tricolor balloons, banner, and picture booths. The city’s narrow lanes, too narrow to accommodate a bike but home to some of the most ancient and densely packed neighborhoods and bazaars in the world, saw a steady stream of voters of all ages. Some came to the polls along with family, including aging parents and grandparents. At the polls, belief in democracy and awareness of the Indian constitutional right of universal suffrage was palpable. Citizens from all economic classes knew why they were voting. They were aware of what’s happening in their world, had clear expectations of their leaders, and showed the rationality to judge the deeds of their past elected representatives....