Factbox-India election 2024: What next after voting ends?

After the conclusion of India's general elections in 2024, several critical processes will unfold to determine the outcome and formation of the new government. Here's a detailed look at what happens next:

1. Vote Counting: The first and most crucial step is the counting of votes. The Election Commission of India (EC) sets up counting centers in each constituency where the votes are counted manually under the supervision of officials and political party agents. The counting process usually begins at 8 am and continues until all votes are counted and results are declared for each constituency.

2. Result Announcement: The EC declares the results of each constituency as soon as the counting is completed. The winning candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes or a lead of over 1 lakh (100,000) votes to be declared the winner. In case of a tie, a by-poll is conducted to determine the winner.

3. Formation of New Government: Once all results are declared, the party or coalition with a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) forms the new government. The leader of the winning party or coalition is invited by the President of India to form the government and take oath as the Prime Minister.

4. Swearing-in Ceremony: The newly elected Prime Minister takes oath in a grand swearing-in ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in New Delhi. The ceremony is attended by various dignitaries, including the President of India, Governors of states, Chief Ministers, and other political leaders.

5. Allocation of Portfolios: After the swearing-in ceremony, the Prime Minister assigns various ministries and portfolios to their respective cabinet ministers and ministers of state. This process is crucial as it determines who will be responsible for managing different sectors of the government.

6. Formation of State Governments: Similar to the central government, state governments are also formed based on the results of the respective state assembly elections held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections. The party or coalition with a majority of seats in a state forms the government and the Chief Minister takes oath.

7. Parliamentary Proceedings: The newly elected members of Parliament (MPs) convene for their first session in the Parliament House in New Delhi. The President addresses both Houses of Parliament in a joint session and outlines the government's agenda and policies for the upcoming term. The new government then presents its budget and other important bills for approval in both Houses.

8. Opposition Role: The opposition parties play a crucial role in scrutinizing the government's policies and actions during its tenure. They raise questions and concerns in Parliament and can also initiate no-confidence motions against the government if necessary.

In summary, the process of what happens after India's general elections in 2024 involves vote counting, result announcement, formation of new governments at the center and in states, swearing-in ceremonies, allocation of portfolios, parliamentary proceedings, and the role of opposition parties. These steps are essential for a smooth transition of power and the effective functioning of India's democratic system.