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India set for third day of voting India voting 'enters key phase'
(about 9 hours later)
Millions of voters in India go to the polls on Thursday in the third of five stages of the general election. Voting is taking place in India in the third of five stages of the country's marathon general election.
Voters in 107 constituencies will be casting their ballots in nine states and two centrally-administered territories across the country. Millions will cast ballots in 107 constituencies across nine states and two federal territories, including the financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay).
The first phase of voting on 16 April was marred by Maoist violence in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says it is a crucial day for the two national parties which are going head-to-head in most areas voting.
But the second phase of voting on 23 April was peaceful. A good showing for either will put them in a strong position on results day.
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed ahead of the vote. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani are among candidates whose seats are holding voting in the third phase.
Voters in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal will go to the polls on Thursday. Results are due on 16 May and no party is expected to win a clear majority.
Voting will also be held in the federally-administered territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. 'Make or break'
Congress party President Sonia Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani will be among the candidates whose constituencies will be voting in the third phase. Voters in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are casting ballots on Thursday.
Voting is also being held in the federally-administered territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Prime minister in waiting? Campaigning with a megastar Elections battleground mapINDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Prime minister in waiting? Campaigning with a megastar Elections battleground map
Mrs Gandhi is contesting from Rae Bareli in the northern Uttar Pradesh state while Mr Advani is a candidate from Gandhinagar in the western state of Gujarat. Mrs Gandhi is standing in Rae Bareli in northern Uttar Pradesh state, while Mr Advani is a candidate in Gandhinagar in the western state of Gujarat.
All 10 constituencies in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) and Anantnag in Indian-administered Kashmir will also be voting on Thursday. "Make or break for BJP today," read the Times of India headline. The Hindustan Times said the election had entered a "decisive phase" with the stakes high for both national parties.
Some Kashmiri separatist groups have called for a boycott of the elections and a two-day strike in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley is being held from Wednesday. Dalit (formerly untouchable) leader Mayawati, who could play a key role in deciding the next government, was among early voters in Uttar Pradesh, as was leading businessman Anil Ambani in Mumbai.
All 10 constituencies in Mumbai and Anantnag in Indian-administered Kashmir are voting on Thursday.
Mumbai was the scene of an armed attack in November which left at least 170 people dead, including nine gunmen.
But correspondents say security will be a less important issue for voters than more routine concerns, like access to clean water, electricity and better housing.
In Jammu and Kashmir separatist groups have called for a boycott of the elections and a two-day strike in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
Security
Voting is being held in several phases in some of the states.Voting is being held in several phases in some of the states.
The vote counting is on 16 May and the new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June. The first round on 16 April was marred by Maoist attacks in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people. The second phase on 23 April saw less violence.
The incumbent coalition, led by the Congress party, and parties led by the BJP will be battling a host of smaller parties. About two million security personnel are being deployed over the five-phase vote.
Votes will be counted on 16 May and the new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.
The incumbent coalition, led by the Congress party, and parties led by the BJP are battling a host of smaller parties.
If no group wins a clear majority, the smaller regional parties could play a crucial role.If no group wins a clear majority, the smaller regional parties could play a crucial role.
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