April is well underway, so let's have a look back on the events in India, the achievements of the Australia India Chamber of Commerce, and our upcoming events.

The biggest democracy in the world – India – is going to the polls

Indian voters are about to elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament. The election will be in seven phases over six weeks from April 19 to June 1 this year. India’s voter base of 970 million citizens, covers 28 states and eight union territories. There will be one million polling stations.

The Indian democratic story is an amazing achievement. India has clung doggedly to its democratic convictions, largely due to free elections, an independent judiciary, a thriving media, strong opposition and peaceful transition of power. We wish the Indian nation well – it is by far the world’s biggest democracy.

Younger voters include 18 million first timers – more about the Indian election

The younger generations are expected to have an impact, with 18 million first-time voters, and those aged between 20 and 29 years totalling 197.4 million. India has a first-past-the-post multiparty electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins. To secure a majority, a party or coalition must breach the mark of 272 seats. The BJP group is aiming for 400 seats. Since 2014, the Bhartiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by PM Narendra Modi has won two consecutive terms to form a majority in the lower house of parliament.

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