Millions of Indians today began casting their votes in the fourth phase of polling in parliamentary election encompassing 96 constituencies across ten states and union territories.
Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir will vote today in the general election for the first time since the revocation of Article 370 and abolition of the area as a state in August 2019 when Srinagar constituency goes to poll amidst tight security.
A total of 17.7 crore voters are eligible to line up at 1,92,000 polling booths in the fourth phase, the second-largest phase in the 2024 election cycle in terms of number of constituencies after the first round when 102 constituencies had gone to poll on April 19, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
After phase four, polling will be over in 379 out of the total of 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a rare, third straight term in a vote which pits his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against an alliance of more than two dozen opposition parties, including main rival Congress.
Modi is trying to woo voters with promises of development, social welfare schemes and Hindutva. The opposition is promising cash dole, lakhs of jobs and rein in inflation.
After the seventh and last phase of polling on June 1, the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.