In pictures: India votes in world's biggest election

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A voter's finger is marked with indelible ink after casting a ballot at a polling station during the first phase of voting for national elections in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, on Friday, April 19, 2024.Image source, Getty Images
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A voter's finger is marked with indelible ink after casting a ballot in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Tens of millions of Indians have voted on the first day of a staggered general election that ends on 1 June.

Almost a billion people are eligible to cast their ballots in a seven-phase election to the 543-seat lower house of parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is seeking a third consecutive term.

Several key opposition parties, including the Congress, have formed an alliance in many states to take on BJP. Results will be announced on 4 June.

Key concerns include a jobs crisis, rising prices, a clampdown on dissent and opposition, and the politics of religion.

On Friday, more than 160 million voters in 21 states were eligible to vote for more than 1,600 candidates in 102 seats. With 39 seats, Tamil Nadu in southern India was the day's key battle ground state where Mr Modi's party is trying to make inroads.

The next round of voting will take place on 26 April.

Image source, AFP
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Women at a polling station in Rajasthan - part of the more than 470 million women expected to vote

Image source, Reuters
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A woman gets her finger inked before casting her vote in West Bengal, where ballots were cast in three seats

Image source, AFP
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On a hot day, voters take shelter from the sun outside a polling station in Chhattisgarh

Image source, Reuters
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People queue up to vote in Uttar Pradesh, India's most politically crucial state - home to 200 million people

Image source, AFP
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A man casts his vote in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, Friday's key battleground state

Image source, AFP
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Security personnel near a polling booth in West Bengal, which is voting in three seats

Image source, Getty Images
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A man waits outside a polling station in Jammu and Kashmir - nearly 1.5 million such stations will be used in this year's election

Image source, Getty Images
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Candidate information at a Tamil Nadu polling station. More than 2,400 parties are fielding candidates

Image source, Getty Images
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A sign featuring the logo for the regional DMK party near a polling station in Tamil Nadu

Image source, AFP
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An elderly woman at a polling station in West Bengal

Image source, ANI
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A newly-married couple turned out to vote in Uttarakhand

Image source, AFP
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A voter sits on a boulder painted with a voter awareness mural in Chhattisgarh state