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India election: Polls close on final day of voting India election: Polls close on final day of voting
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.
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. Led by Narendra Modi, the BJP dominated the campaign but analysts warn exit polls have a mixed record in India and have been wrong in the past.
The main contest in the vote is between the ruling Congress and the BJP. Votes will be counted on 16 May.The main contest in the vote is between the ruling Congress and the BJP. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
Election Commission officials say voter turnout is a record 66.38%.Election Commission officials say voter turnout is a record 66.38%.
The figure beats a previous record set in 1984. The figure beats the previous record set in 1984.
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.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.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.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.
Exit polls being released by Indian media organisations on Monday evening all showed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) well ahead in terms of predicted seat wins, and the governing Congress trailing badly.
According to the India Today-Cicero poll, the NDA is expected to win between 261 and 283 seats. TimesNow-ORG predicts 249 seats for the opposition alliance.
A party or coalition needs 272 to form the government and analysts say unless the BJP wins a clear majority, the vote counting on Friday may be followed by days of bargaining with potential allies to form a government.
Correspondents say exit polls are notoriously inaccurate in India, partly because of the size and complexity of the electorate. In the last two elections, they were inaccurate and over-estimated the BJP's gains.
On Monday, as polling came to an end, Election Commission officials said more than 551 million voters had turned out to cast their ballots, higher than any turnout in the country's history.
'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. In the run up to Monday's vote, Varanasi had been the scene of frenzied political campaigning.
"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."
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. Pitted against Mr Modi in Varanasi is Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, whose army of volunteers has campaigned extensively for weeks before polling.
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 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.
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.
Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.