Photos: A look at the numbers behind India elections 2014

[caption id=“attachment_80961” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] India goes to the polls from April 7 to May 12 to choose 543 members to the Lok Sabha, in what is billed as the “world’s biggest elections’. It will be a mammoth task: With 814 million voters, India has the largest voter base in the world. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80966” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] About 24 million young Indians aged 18-19 years will be voting for the first time in these elections. They account for 2.8% of the total voters. Most of the major parties are trying to woo young voters, who account for a significant portion of the voting population. AFP[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80967” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Voters will cast their ballots in 93,000 polling stations across the country. The number of polling stations is up 12 percent since 2009. AFP[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80980” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] This time, the main concerns of voters are economic, according to several polls: jobs, Infrastructure and economic growth are what are on top of voter’s minds. That’s no surprise since India’s elections are being held against the backdrop of a sputtering economy still plagued by relatively high inflation. The current government has also been dogged by corruption scandals, and many voters seem ready for a change. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80969” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] About Rs 30,000 crore is likely to be spent on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. That will make it the most expensive elections in India’s history. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80976” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Many of the candidates standing for elections are quite wealthy, according to an ADR study. Some candidates like Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of Infosys, have declared assets in excess of Rs 100 crore.[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80971” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Election spending is expected to benefit several sectors, especially textiles and paper industries. AFP[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80964” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Other sectors tipped to benefit from campaign spending are advertising agencies, printing companies, newspaper companies, brewers and vehicle companies. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80994” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Upto one third of the estimated election spending of Rs 30,000 crore could be through black money, reports say. Bribing is common, with voters often receiving cash or alcohol in exchange for support, a Reuters report notes.[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80988” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Spending on advertising during the election campaign phase is expected to touch Rs 4,800 crore, according to a Reuters report. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80973” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Candidates from large states can spend up to Rs 70 lakh in elections. Reuters[/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_80983” align=“alignleft” width=“860”] Voting ends on 12 May and hopefully India will have a new government in place by 16 May. Reuters[/caption]