Election Results 2019: How international media covered the result of most keenly watched polls

The election process which took place in seven phases, remained the most keenly watched democratic procedure across the world and was covered extensively by the global media.

Image: PTI

New Delhi: India’s mammoth election process which is near its culmination, has not only generated a massive political stir in the country, but has also amassed attention internationally. The election process which took place in seven phases, remained the most keenly watched democratic procedure across the world and was covered extensively by the global media. The Washington Post in an article titled ‘India’s Modi wins resounding election victory with potent appeal to nationalism’ wrote, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party won a landslide victory in the world’s largest election as voters endorsed his vision of a muscular, assertive and fundamentally Hindu India. The son of a tea seller, Modi first swept to power five years ago on a desire for change and a belief that he could transform this country of more than 1.3 billion people, unshackling the economy and creating millions of jobs.” It further stated: “Modi’s win is a victory for a form of religious nationalism that views India — home to a diversity of faiths as essentially a Hindu nation and seeks to jettison the secularism promoted by the country’s founders. Although India is about 80 percent Hindu, it is also home to Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and other religious communities.” Source: BBC World “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has scored a resounding victory again, securing a second five-year term. The 2014 win was partly a vote in anger against the corruption-tainted Congress party. But this time, it is an affirmation for Mr Modi. He has become the first leader since 1971 to secure a single party majority twice in a row,” said BBC World in its live coverage. In its coverage after most part of the counting was finished, the Middle East news outlet Al Jazeera in its report  titled ‘India votes Modi back with landmark mandate’ wrote  “Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on course to a landslide victory in the Indian elections and is set to return to power.” Source: The Guardian The Guardian wrote: “India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has claimed a landslide victory in national elections that cements the Hindu nationalist leader as the country’s most formidable politician in decades.” Source: New York Times The New York Times wrote: “Mr. Modi, one of the most powerful and divisive leaders India has produced in decades, appeared easily headed for another five-year term, according to election returns.”