This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8035690.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 27 Version 28
Delhi's turn in Indian election Delhi's turn in Indian election
(21 minutes later)
Polling is taking place in the fourth stage of India's marathon five phase general election with the capital, Delhi, one of the key battlegrounds.Polling is taking place in the fourth stage of India's marathon five phase general election with the capital, Delhi, one of the key battlegrounds.
Millions of voters in 85 constituencies across seven states and in Delhi are casting ballots on Thursday.Millions of voters in 85 constituencies across seven states and in Delhi are casting ballots on Thursday.
Neither the ruling Congress nor main opposition BJP are expected to win outright and other parties could play a key role after counting on 16 May.Neither the ruling Congress nor main opposition BJP are expected to win outright and other parties could play a key role after counting on 16 May.
The fourth phase voting has seen no major incidents of violence so far. The fourth phase voting has seen few major incidents of violence so far.
However, clashes in West Bengal have left six people injured. However, clashes in West Bengal have left two people dead and more than 15 injured.
Early turnout in most of the areas voting was reported to be fairly strong. BBC India editor Sanjeev Srivastava says that turnout in the first three phases was relatively low and so far it appears the fourth phase will be no exception to the trend.
ShutdownShutdown
Delhi has all seven seats up for grabs on Thursday. Congress won six of them last time.Delhi has all seven seats up for grabs on Thursday. Congress won six of them last time.
Who to vote for? Delhi residents give their viewsIn picturesWho to vote for? Delhi residents give their viewsIn pictures
Among the early voters were President Pratibha Patil and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.Among the early voters were President Pratibha Patil and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
Mrs Gandhi's daughter, Priyanka, said after voting: "I hope [the Indian voter] is voting for a party and a prime minister who are serious about development and leading the country forwards."Mrs Gandhi's daughter, Priyanka, said after voting: "I hope [the Indian voter] is voting for a party and a prime minister who are serious about development and leading the country forwards."
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in the Delhi suburb of Gurgaon says many of the bankers and IT staff who work there have not registered to vote, but villagers queued up early at booths.The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in the Delhi suburb of Gurgaon says many of the bankers and IT staff who work there have not registered to vote, but villagers queued up early at booths.
Initial reports from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir, were of deserted streets amid an election boycott call by separatists who argue that the vote legitimises Indian rule.Initial reports from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir, were of deserted streets amid an election boycott call by separatists who argue that the vote legitimises Indian rule.
The call was generally being heeded, although the BBC's Altaf Hussain said that at one polling booth in the Repora area voting was very brisk and the atmosphere almost festive.The call was generally being heeded, although the BBC's Altaf Hussain said that at one polling booth in the Repora area voting was very brisk and the atmosphere almost festive.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Delhi voter voices 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 Delhi voter voices Elections battleground map
There had been a two-day shutdown ahead of the vote in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.There had been a two-day shutdown ahead of the vote in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
However, in state elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year many voters defied a boycott call and cast ballots in unexpectedly large numbers.However, in state elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year many voters defied a boycott call and cast ballots in unexpectedly large numbers.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did well in Rajasthan in 2004's general election, winning 21 of the 25 seats but analysts say that in a tight battle nationwide the switch of even a few seats could be crucial in the coalition talks that are sure to follow the election.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did well in Rajasthan in 2004's general election, winning 21 of the 25 seats but analysts say that in a tight battle nationwide the switch of even a few seats could be crucial in the coalition talks that are sure to follow the election.
In Punjab, voting was suspended in Ferozepur constituency after a Congress supporter was shot dead. Police said it was over the ownership of a mobile phone.In Punjab, voting was suspended in Ferozepur constituency after a Congress supporter was shot dead. Police said it was over the ownership of a mobile phone.
Key candidatesKey candidates
Early turnout was reported brisk in West Bengal. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says there is a huge security presence.Early turnout was reported brisk in West Bengal. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says there is a huge security presence.
He says six people were hurt as shots were fired in clashes between political rivals at two locations in Nandigram.
BBC INDIA ELECTION TRAIN Today's polling in Bengal is the toughest ever for the Communists who have ruled the state without a break for more than three decades Soutik Biswas' blogBBC INDIA ELECTION TRAIN Today's polling in Bengal is the toughest ever for the Communists who have ruled the state without a break for more than three decades Soutik Biswas' blog
West Bengal is traditionally a stronghold of leftist parties but they face a tough challenge from the main opposition Trinamul Congress. The leftists split from the previous Congress-led administration over a controversial nuclear deal with the US. He says there have been three major incidents of violence between supporters of the leftists and the main state opposition Trinamul Congress.
There have been reports of a boycott in Patliputra and Nalanda in Bihar after voting machines developed defects. A Trinamul Congress supporter was killed in Burdwan district and a Marxist supporter in Murshidabad district.
Voters in the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are also casting ballots on Thursday. Voters in the states of Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are also casting ballots on Thursday.
Among the key candidates facing the electorate are Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Railway Minister Laloo Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.Among the key candidates facing the electorate are Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Railway Minister Laloo Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
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 first phase of voting on 16 April was marred by Maoist violence in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people.The first phase of voting on 16 April was marred by Maoist violence in eastern and central India which killed at least 17 people.
But the second and third phases on 23 April and 30 April were largely peaceful.But the second and third phases on 23 April and 30 April were largely peaceful.
Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for Thursday's vote.Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for Thursday's vote.
The new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.The new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.
Are you planning to vote? What is the mood like in your area? Please send us your pictures and comments.Are you planning to vote? What is the mood like in your area? Please send us your pictures and comments.
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions