Lok Sabha election 2024: World’s biggest poll kicks off as India begins voting - BBC News
Lok Sabha election 2024: World’s biggest poll kicks off as India begins voting - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
The BJP manifesto praises the government's track record from the past decade and highlights the benefits of its welfare schemes.
Voting is also underway in parts of Manipur, the north-eastern state hit by deadly ethnic violence since the summer of 2023.
The party bats for its government to be voted back into power in the name of stability and says it will turn India into a developed nation by 2047. It promises to implement a Uniform Civil Code - a single personal law for all citizens irrespective of religion, gender and sexual orientation - and a women’s reservation law passed in parliament last year.
Clashes between the majority Meitei group and the Kuki minority have routinely made headlines and thousands have been displaced and are living in relief camps.
It also promises to implement one of its key talking points - "one nation, one election" or simultaneous federal and state polls - if voted back to power.
The region usually has high voter turnout but many members from the two communities have indicated they may abstain in this election.
The opposition Congress party’s manifesto highlights unemployment and inflation in the country, and promises to deliver justice to oppressed communities.
At 11am, the state had a 29.1% turnout, according to the Election Commission.
It promises to give a one-year apprenticeship to every diploma holder or graduate younger than 25 years, a legal guarantee of assured prices for certain crops, raising the quota cap for socially-disadvantaged caste-based groups and tribespeople, and full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
If it comes to power, the party says, it will investigate a controversial scheme introduced by the BJP government that allowed political donors to remain anonymous.
The Trinamool Congress, which governs West Bengal and is part of an opposition coalition, says the bloc will repeal a controversial citizenship law - which critics call anti-Muslim - if it comes to power.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), another member of the opposition coalition, has promised to repeal "draconian" anti-terror laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and promises to dismantle all nuclear weapons in India.
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