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The 2014 general election is taking place in nine phases in India, the longest election in the country's history, from 7 April to 12 May 2014 to constitute the 16th Lok Sabha. Voting will take place in all 543 parliamentary constituencies of India to elect members of parliament in the Lok Sabha.[1] The result of this election will be declared on 16 May, before the 15th Lok Sabha completes its constitutional mandate on 31 May 2014.[2]
According to the Election Commission of India, the electoral population in 2014 is 814.5 million, the largest in the world.[3] There is an increase in newly eligible voters of 100 million since the last general election in 2009.[4] This will be the longest and the most expensive general election in the history of the country, with the Election Commission of India estimating that the election will cost the exchequer 
3,500 crore (US$577 million), excluding the expenses incurred for security and individual political parties.[5] Parties are expected to spend 30,500 crore (US$5 billion) in the election, according to the Centre for Media Studies. This is three times the amount spent in the previous election, and is the world's second highest after the US$7 billion spent on the 2012 US presidential election.[6] Though unelected, incumbent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ruled himself out as a prime ministerial candidate.[7]
Social media played an increasing role in the election.[18] In regards to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, communalism played a role in the election.[19] Important issues during the campaign included rising prices, corruption, the economy, security, infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water. In a survey by Zee News for about 14% of people corruption is the main issue of the election.[20]
Bloomberg also highlighted India's slowing economy amidst a record high current account deficit and a falling rupee in summer 2013. It pointed out to a lack of infrastructure investment and a government increasingly likely to give subsidies the national finances cannot afford just before the election. Other points it mentioned were stagnant policymaking and an inefficient bureaucracy.[21] The economy was the main issue in the campaign.[22] The lack of a clear mandate as a result of the election could lead to an increase in the price of gold in the country.[23][24] Modi also brought up the issue of farmer suicides that resulted from high debt and poor yield on their crops.[25]
The price of onions, a staple in Indian cuisine, also faces a dramatic price increase.[26] In the lead up to the election, consumer price inflation increased more than expected while, paradoxically, industrial production fell by more than expected causing a dilemma amid slowing growth.[27] The price of salt was also indicative of general food inflation.[28]
On 30 July 2013, the Congress Working Committee unanimously passed a resolution for the creation of Telangana. Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) welcomed the decision.[29] YSR Congress party leader Jaganmohan Reddy however opposed the decision[30] and in agitation against it, all its MLAs resigned over the issue.[31] The BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar suggested that the INC's move was under pressure and that BJP "will watch till Telangana is formed."[32] In February, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned over the proposal to partition the region.[33] The conflicting views of the political parties thus made the Telangana issue a crucial one in the elections.
Celebrity candidates from non-political spheres were nominated in the election. These included: Mohammad Kaif (INC), Ravi Kishan (INC), Nandan Nilekani (INC), Gul Panag (AAP), Moon Moon Sen (TMC), Dev (TMC), Bhaichung Bhutia (TMC), Biswajit Chatterjee (TMC), Indranil Sen (TMC), Paresh Rawal (BJP), Kirron Kher (BJP), P. C. Sorcar, Jr. (BJP), Babul Supriyo (BJP), Pawan Kalyan (JSP)[34] Kamaal Rashid Khan (Samajwadi), Mahesh Manjrekar (MNS), Rakhi Sawant (Rashtriya Aam Party),[35] Jaaved Jaaferi (AAP),[36]Bappi Lahiri (BJP),[37] and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (BJP).
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