India votes in first phase of marathon election as Modi seeks third term

The world’s largest election kicked off with voting in 102 constituencies across 21 states.

Millions of Indians have voted in the first phase of the world’s largest elections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term on the back of issues such as growth, welfare and Hindu nationalism.

The vote pits Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against an alliance of two dozen opposition parties that promise greater affirmative action and more handouts while stressing what they call the need to save democratic institutions.

Three hours before polls closed on Friday, the Election Commission said voter turnout ranged from 40 percent in the sprawling northern state of Bihar to 68 percent in the small northeastern state of Tripura. In the multiphase 2019 polls, the average turnout was 67 percent.

“I urge all those voting … to exercise their franchise in record numbers,” Modi posted on the social media platform X before voting began.

The main opposition Indian National Congress party urged voters to end “hatred and injustice” in a statement on X.