Millions of Indians began voting today in a six-week election that is a referendum on the rule of Narendra Modi, the prime minister who defends an assertive Hindu nationalist politics and seeks a third term as the country's leader, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
More than 970 million voters will elect 543 members of the lower house of parliament for five-year terms in a phased election that will run until June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.
The election is considered one of the most significant in India's history and will show the extent of Modi's political dominance. If Modi wins, he will be only the second Indian leader to retain power for a third term, after Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister.
Most polls predict victory for Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, facing a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress. and powerful regional parties.
It is not clear who will lead India if the opposition alliance called INDIA wins the election. Its more than 20 parties have not fielded a candidate, saying they will choose once the results of the vote are known.
Modi today called for mass participation in the opening general elections in which his Hindu nationalist party “Bharatiya Janata” is the big favorite, reported France Press.
Modi urged voters in the first phase of voting, out of a total of seven, to "exercise their right to vote in record numbers", especially young people and first-time voters. "Every vote matters and every vote is important," he added on the "X" social network.