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India election starts final phase India election starts final phase
(30 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 election, with 107 million voters eligible to cast ballots.
Voting is in 86 constituencies across nine states and territories, including Tamil Nadu in the south and most parts of the city 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).
Calcutta violenceCalcutta violence
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says that 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.The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says that 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.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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/8038611.stm">Kashmir: Rose between thorns class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/8045665.stm">Tamil Nadu: Kingmaker state class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/8043588.stm">The Sri Lanka factor class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7968638.stm">Elections battleground map Chris Morris, BBC News in Chennai Voters were out early in the middle of Chennai, queuing up to cast their ballots. There was a flurry of excitement and a media scrum at Stella Maris College when the leader of the AIADMK, Jayalalitha, turned up to cast her vote.
Some people here think her party could sweep the polls in Tamil Nadu - which would make it one of the kingmakers of the next national government. Jayalalitha was looking and sounding confident.
She said she has had feelers from various parties but she'll wait until results are announced on Saturday before deciding on her next move. The other main party, the DMK, which swept the state last time, still insists that it will do well. Tamil Nadu: Kingmaker state
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 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.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 are voting.All 39 constituencies in the southern state of Tamil Nadu are voting.
Tamil Nadu - where voters tend to hand big victories to one or other of the state's two main parties - 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 or other of the state's two main parties - 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.
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.
Former state chief minister, J Jayalalitha, head of the AIADMK party and one of India's most colourful and controversial politicians, has cast her vote in the state and complained of election irregularities. Former state chief minister, J Jayalalitha, head of the AIADMK party and one of India's most colourful and controversial politicians, has cast her vote in the state capital Madras (Chennai) and complained of election irregularities.
There were long queues as polling started in Calcutta
She said some election machines were not working properly and in some places paramilitaries were nowhere to be seen.She said some election machines were not working properly and in some places paramilitaries were nowhere to be seen.
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.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Kashmir: Rose between thorns The Sri Lanka factor Elections battleground map
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 turnout in the region is so far very low.The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says turnout in the region is so far very low.
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.