India: Election kicks off with 900 million eligible voters

With 968 million registered voters set to cast their ballots over the course of 47 days, India, the world’s most populous nation, commenced what is being heralded as the world’s biggest election by Western media.

Voting in India’s six-week election commenced on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Hindu nationalist party expected to secure a clear victory.

As India is a democracy, every eligible voter in the country’s 28 states and eight union territories will have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

The election is being documented as the biggest democratic exercise ever.

India, the most populous country in the world, embarks on an extensive electoral process spanning over a month and a half, necessitating meticulous logistical planning.

While voting is completed in a single day in the smallest states and territories administered by the federal government, larger states witness voting spread over two or four days.

In states with very large populations like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, voting occurs across all seven phases. Punch