Datasets for Covering Indian Elections

Originally posted as a thread on X.

Summary of an INMA webinar I did last week on using data to cover the elections. Few datasets I shared during the session:

ECI for historical reports.

ECI website for 2024 Election updates.

Things your local Chief Electoral Officer might share. Like the list of polling stations.

Form 20 for polling station wise data.

Of course ADR and MyNeta for information on candidates, party financials and more.

LokDhaba to see results from previous elections, also with additional info on whether that candidate was a turncoat, incumbent or was recontesting.

PRS to study the Parliamentary performance of a sitting MP.

Meta Ad Transparency to see who is paying how much for political ads on Meta platforms.

Google Ads Transparency to see who is paying for political ads on Google (including Youtube).

Looking at research that combines data on health/education with constituency boundaries.

Polls — CVVoter, AxisMyIndia, Lokniti, Today’s Chanakya — the list is long. I don’t endorse any particular poll personally, but recommend you look at sample sizes and methodology when reporting on polls.

With polls see data beyond overall seat share and vote share. How do people of different genders, castes, occupations vote? What are the issues that lead people to make a decision?