This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8045567.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
India election starts final phase India election starts final phase
(10 minutes later)
India has entered the final phase of its marathon general election, with 107m voters eligible to cast ballots.India has entered the final phase of its marathon general election, with 107m voters eligible to cast ballots.
Voting is in 86 constituencies across nine states and territories, including crucial Tamil Nadu in the south and most parts of Calcutta. Voting is in 86 constituencies across nine states and territories, including Tamil Nadu in the south and most parts of the city of Calcutta.
The main fight is between the ruling Congress party-led alliance and parties led by the BJP, although there is a host of regional opposition.The main fight is between the ruling Congress party-led alliance and parties led by the BJP, although there is a host of regional opposition.
Results are announced on Saturday and an outright majority is unlikely.Results are announced on Saturday and an outright majority is unlikely.
A series of exit polls is expected after polling closes at 1700 local time (1130 GMT).A series of exit polls is expected after polling closes at 1700 local time (1130 GMT).
Crucial role Calcutta violence
Voters in the states of Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are casting ballots on Wednesday, the final day of voting. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the final phase could well prove decisive as the swing state of Tamil Nadu, with nearly 40 parliamentary seats, has heavily influenced federal politics in the past few elections.
Voters in the states of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are also casting ballots on Wednesday, the final day of voting.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Prime minister in waiting? Campaigning with a megastar Elections battleground mapINDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Prime minister in waiting? Campaigning with a megastar Elections battleground map
Polls are also being held in the federally-administered territories of Chandigarh and Pondicherry.Polls are also being held in the federally-administered territories of Chandigarh and Pondicherry.
The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says there have been election clashes in six places in West Bengal, with one person reported dead and 17 injured. There were similar clashes there in last week's voting phase. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says there have been election clashes in seven places in and around the city, with one person reported dead and 17 injured. There were similar clashes there in last week's voting phase.
All 39 constituencies in the southern state of Tamil Nadu as well as Baramullah and Ladakh in Indian-administered Kashmir are voting.All 39 constituencies in the southern state of Tamil Nadu as well as Baramullah and Ladakh in Indian-administered Kashmir are voting.
Tamil Nadu - where voters tend to hand big victories to one of the state's two main parties or the other - is expected to play a crucial role in the formation of the government in the coalition talks that are almost certain to follow the election.Tamil Nadu - where voters tend to hand big victories to one of the state's two main parties or the other - is expected to play a crucial role in the formation of the government in the coalition talks that are almost certain to follow the election.
There were long queues as polling started in Calcutta
The last five governments have been formed with the winners in Tamil Nadu.The last five governments have been formed with the winners in Tamil Nadu.
Home Minister P Chidambaram faces the electorate there in the constituency of Sivaganga.Home Minister P Chidambaram faces the electorate there in the constituency of Sivaganga.
There were long queues as polling started in Calcutta
In Jammu and Kashmir, some separatist groups have called for a boycott of the elections and there has been a two-day strike in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.In Jammu and Kashmir, some separatist groups have called for a boycott of the elections and there has been a two-day strike in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
A former separatist and head of a faction of the regional People's Conference party, Sajjad Lone, has broken ranks to stand for election from Baramullah.A former separatist and head of a faction of the regional People's Conference party, Sajjad Lone, has broken ranks to stand for election from Baramullah.
The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says shops, offices and banks are closed in most parts of the valley and transport is suspended.The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says shops, offices and banks are closed in most parts of the valley and transport is suspended.
A large number of police and paramilitary troops have been deployed in the capital, Srinagar, to prevent anti-election demonstrations, our correspondent says.A large number of police and paramilitary troops have been deployed in the capital, Srinagar, to prevent anti-election demonstrations, our correspondent says.
Among the other candidates facing the electorate on Wednesday are Varun Gandhi and Mohammad Azharrudin.Among the other candidates facing the electorate on Wednesday are Varun Gandhi and Mohammad Azharrudin.
Mr Gandhi, who has been accused of making a controversial anti-Muslim speech, is standing for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.Mr Gandhi, who has been accused of making a controversial anti-Muslim speech, is standing for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.
Ex-cricketer Azharruddin stands for Congress in Moradabad in the same state.Ex-cricketer Azharruddin stands for Congress in Moradabad in the same state.
The first round of the general election on 16 April was marred by Maoist attacks in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people. Later rounds were less violent.The first round of the general election on 16 April was marred by Maoist attacks in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people. Later rounds were less violent.
About two million security personnel are being deployed for the five-phase vote.About two million security personnel are being deployed for the five-phase vote.
The new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.The new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.