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| India election: Voting starts on first key polling day | India election: Voting starts on first key polling day |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Millions of Indians have begun voting on the first big day of the general election pitting the ruling Congress party against the main opposition BJP. | Millions of Indians have begun voting on the first big day of the general election pitting the ruling Congress party against the main opposition BJP. |
| Polling are being held in 91 seats in 14 states, including in the capital Delhi and the key state of Uttar Pradesh. | Polling are being held in 91 seats in 14 states, including in the capital Delhi and the key state of Uttar Pradesh. |
| The nine-phase vote began on Monday and will conclude on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. | The nine-phase vote began on Monday and will conclude on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May. |
| More than 814 million Indians are eligible to vote in the polls. | More than 814 million Indians are eligible to vote in the polls. |
| The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says voters at a school in the Sarvapriya Yihar district began queuing as polling opened at 07:00 (01:30 GMT). | |
| Soon, several dozen people had queued up to cast their votes and the lines were getting longer by the minute. | |
| Officials checked their names on the list and put the indelible ink on their forefingers. | |
| The anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man's) Party, which secured a spectacular result in local polls in Delhi last year, offers a challenge to the main parties. | |
| 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 the formation of a government. | 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 the formation of a government. |
| The marathon vote is being staggered over five weeks for security and logistical reasons. | The marathon vote is being staggered over five weeks for security and logistical reasons. |
| The third phase of the election on Thursday is the first big day of voting. | |
| Polling is being conducted in all seven constituencies of Delhi, all 20 seats in the southern state of Kerala and 10 seats each in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa. | |
| Electronic voting | |
| Thousands of police and paramilitary security personnel have been deployed to ensure polling passes off peacefully. | Thousands of police and paramilitary security personnel have been deployed to ensure polling passes off peacefully. |
| On the first day of voting on Monday, polling took place in six constituencies in two states in the north-east - five in Assam and one in Tripura. | On the first day of voting on Monday, polling took place in six constituencies in two states in the north-east - five in Assam and one in Tripura. |
| In the second phase on Wednesday, voting was held in six seats across four states. | In the second phase on Wednesday, voting was held in six seats across four states. |
| 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. |
| 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 are being 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 are being 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. |
| The main contest in the elections is between the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, and the BJP, led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi. | The main contest in the elections is between the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of India's influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, and the BJP, led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi. |
| Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election opinion polls, is the leader of Gujarat state, which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002. | Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election opinion polls, is the leader of Gujarat state, which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002. |
| The BJP has promised to improve the economy and infrastructure and curb corruption if it wins in the general elections. | The BJP has promised to improve the economy and infrastructure and curb corruption if it wins in the general elections. |
| The party launched its manifesto hours after polling began for the first phase. | The party launched its manifesto hours after polling began for the first phase. |
| 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 promised a raft of welfare schemes, including a right to healthcare for all and pensions for the elderly and disabled. | In its election manifesto, the party promised a raft of welfare schemes, including a right to healthcare for all and pensions for the elderly and disabled. |