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India election: Narendra Modi faces Arvind Kejriwal on final vote day India election: Polls close on final day of voting
(about 4 hours later)
Millions of Indians are voting on the final day of India's general election, with crowds turning out in the sacred city of Varanasi, a key battleground. Polls have closed on the final day of voting in India's marathon election, with the first exit polls predicting early gains for the opposition BJP.
Opposition BJP leader Narendra Modi is being challenged in the seat by anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal. Led by Narendra Modi, the BJP has dominated the campaign but analysts warn exit polls have a mixed record in India, having proved wrong in the past.
Votes are also being cast in 40 other seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal states. The first exit polls are expected on Monday evening. The main contest in the vote is between the ruling Congress and the BJP. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
Mr Modi is ahead in all the opinion polls. Votes will be counted on 16 May. Election Commission officials say voter turnout is a record 66.38%.
India's marathon election began on 7 April and has been held in nine phases for security and logistical reasons. The figure beats a previous record set in 1984.
With 814 million eligible voters, it is the world's biggest exercise in democracy and the governing Congress party is battling the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for power. On Monday, millions voted on the final day of the election, with crowds turning out in the sacred city of Varanasi, a key battleground, where Mr Modi is being challenged by anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal.
Voting was also held in 40 other seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal states.
The election began on 7 April and has been held in nine phases for security and logistical reasons. With 814 million eligible voters, it is the world's biggest exercise in democracy.
'Ballot for progress''Ballot for progress'
Varanasi has been the scene of frenzied political campaigning not seen in the ancient city in decades. The city been turned into a virtual fortress with thousands of police and paramilitaries deployed to ensure peaceful polling.Varanasi has been the scene of frenzied political campaigning not seen in the ancient city in decades. The city been turned into a virtual fortress with thousands of police and paramilitaries deployed to ensure peaceful polling.
BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava in the city says large crowds, including many women, are turning up at polling stations, after voting began at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT).
People are walking or taking cycle rickshaws to the booths as traffic restrictions are in place across the city, our correspondent says.
"Varanasi will finally see some change and development. I am glad to have lived for the day," Ramavati, 93, said."Varanasi will finally see some change and development. I am glad to have lived for the day," Ramavati, 93, said.
One woman told the BBC that she had cast her ballot "for the person who will bring development and progress".One woman told the BBC that she had cast her ballot "for the person who will bring development and progress".
"The main issues are inflation, corruption and unemployment," she said."The main issues are inflation, corruption and unemployment," she said.
Mr Modi is being given a spirited fight by Mr Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, whose army of volunteers is engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning. Mr Modi is being given a spirited fight by Mr Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, whose army of volunteers has been engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning.
There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in the seat, including the Congress party's Ajay Rai, a local political leader.There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in the seat, including the Congress party's Ajay Rai, a local political leader.
Correspondents say that this appears to be the most prestigious and high profile battle in the elections - top leaders from the BJP, Congress and AAP have all campaigned here for their candidates in the past weeks. Correspondents say this is the most high profile battle in the elections - top leaders from the BJP, Congress and AAP have all campaigned here for their candidates in the past weeks.
"This is a very politically conscious city. The epic battle between Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal has pulled the city out of political oblivion," says Dr Vishwanath Pandey, who teaches at the Benares Hindu University."This is a very politically conscious city. The epic battle between Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal has pulled the city out of political oblivion," says Dr Vishwanath Pandey, who teaches at the Benares Hindu University.
The state of Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, returns more MPs than any other and is often described as India's battleground state.The state of Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, returns more MPs than any other and is often described as India's battleground state.
Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, has long been neglected despite its religious significance and its infrastructure is badly in need of repair.Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, has long been neglected despite its religious significance and its infrastructure is badly in need of repair.
Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.