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| India begins giant general election | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Indians have begun voting in the world's biggest election, with the ruling Congress party pitted against the Hindu nationalist BJP opposition. | |
| The nine-phase ballot begins on Monday and concludes on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. | The nine-phase ballot begins on Monday and concludes on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. |
| More than 800 million Indians are eligible to vote in a poll dominated by corruption and high inflation. | More than 800 million Indians are eligible to vote in a poll dominated by corruption and high inflation. |
| A new anti-corruption party, the AAP, is also contesting the elections after a spectacular result in local polls. | A new anti-corruption party, the AAP, is also contesting the elections after a spectacular result in local polls. |
| The AAP (Aam Aadmi, or Common Man's Party) made a strong showing at the state assembly polls in the capital Delhi and is standing for all the seats in the parliament. | The AAP (Aam Aadmi, or Common Man's Party) made a strong showing at the state assembly polls in the capital Delhi and is standing for all the seats in the parliament. |
| Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray and if no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in government formation. | Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray and if no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in government formation. |
| The Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) has 543 elected seats and any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government. | The Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) has 543 elected seats and any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government. |
| Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already said he is stepping down and the Congress is being led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. | Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already said he is stepping down and the Congress is being led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. |
| The BJP is being led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi. Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election surveys, is the leader of Gujarat state which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002. | The BJP is being led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi. Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election surveys, is the leader of Gujarat state which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002. |
| Some 814 million voters - 100 million more than at the last elections in 2009 - are eligible to vote at 930,000 polling stations, up from 830,000 polling stations in 2009. | Some 814 million voters - 100 million more than at the last elections in 2009 - are eligible to vote at 930,000 polling stations, up from 830,000 polling stations in 2009. |
| Electronic voting machines will be used and will, for the first time, contain a None of the Above (Nota) button - an option for voters who do not want to cast their ballot for any of the candidates. | Electronic voting machines will be used and will, for the first time, contain a None of the Above (Nota) button - an option for voters who do not want to cast their ballot for any of the candidates. |
| On the first day of voting, polling is taking place in six constituencies in two states in the north-east - five in Assam and one in Tripura. | |
| The Congress party has promised "inclusive growth" if it returns to power. | The Congress party has promised "inclusive growth" if it returns to power. |
| In its election manifesto, the party has promised a raft of welfare schemes, including a right to healthcare for all and pensions for the aged and disabled. | In its election manifesto, the party has promised a raft of welfare schemes, including a right to healthcare for all and pensions for the aged and disabled. |
| The BJP has yet to come out with its manifesto but in his election speeches across the country, Mr Modi has promised economic development, jobs for the youth and a corruption-free government. | The BJP has yet to come out with its manifesto but in his election speeches across the country, Mr Modi has promised economic development, jobs for the youth and a corruption-free government. |