The 2019 general election in India was estimated to cost around Rs. 55,000 crore (550 billion), making it the most expensive election in the world at the time. This estimate includes expenses by political parties, the Election Commission of India, and other associated costs, such as security, logistics, and advertisements.
India has a vast electorate, with over 900 million eligible voters in 2019, spread across 543 constituencies. Managing such a large-scale election involves significant logistical efforts, including transportation, polling booths, and security arrangements. Political parties spend a significant amount on advertisements, public rallies, media campaigns, and other outreach efforts.
The 2019 Lok Sabha election surpassed the costs of other large elections, including the US presidential elections and other national elections. The cost is not only attributed to the size and scope of the elections but also to the intensity of campaigning and the rising role of social media, which have led to increased spending on digital platforms, ads, and outreach activities.
The Centre for Media Studies (CMS), an independent research organization, published the report estimating the overall expenditure. The report indicated that the overall cost of the election was significantly higher than previous elections, and it has also highlighted the growing role of money in Indian politics.
The 2019 Lok Sabha election was indeed estimated to be the most expensive election in the world, with an estimated cost of Rs. 55,000 crore (550 billion). This high expenditure is due to the scale of the election, the logistics involved, and the intensified campaigning by political parties. The report from Centre for Media Studies (CMS) highlighted these factors, making the 2019 election the most costly in the history of global elections at that time.
