Former Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani impressed by magnitude of Indian democracy

Haqqani said he is impressed by the magnitude of India’s democracy.

"It is hard not to be impressed by the magnitude of India’s democracy. 44-day election exercise, 900 million eligible voters, 640 million ballots cast (half of them by women), 67% turnout, 1.1 million polling booths, 5.5 million electronic voting machines!" Haqqani posted on X.

President Droupadi Murmu Friday invited Narendra Modi, chosen as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to form the next union government, days after the coalition comfortably won the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Modi and the members of his new cabinet will take the oath of office at 6 pm Sunday.

A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said Murmu had "satisfied herself on the basis of various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance... is in a position to command a majority support of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha and form a stable government..."

The communique said it had, therefore, appointed Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India.

Speaking outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA will form a strong, stable, and growth-oriented government.

Modi will be the second politician after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to become Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.

However, unlike his previous two terms, Modi this time required the support of his allies to form a government as the BJP stopped at 240, 32 short of the majority mark (272).

The TDP (16 seats), JDU (12 seats), Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena (7 seats) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5 seats) have emerged as the kingmakers.

Addressing the media, Modi said, "This morning all NDA allies chose me as the leader and informed the President. The President then called me... and appointed me PM-designate. I told the President Sunday evening will be convenient (for the oath-taking ceremony)."

He thanked voters for giving the NDA a third term.