India’s Pivotal Election Phase Underway as Modi Seeks Third Term

Millions of Indians across 96 constituencies started casting their ballots on Monday to mark the fourth round of multi-phase national elections.

This election will be pivotal for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he seeks a third straight term, with an eye on winning a supermajority in Parliament.

Monday’s voting took place in nine states and one union territory, including some key strongholds for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Crucial seats in the states of Maharashtra and Bihar, where the BJP governs in alliances, are also up for grabs in this phase.

Most polls predict a win for Modi and the BJP, which is facing a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and powerful regional parties.

However, the staggered election has also seen opposition parties make a strong case to voters, focusing on issues like rising inflation, lack of employment, and economic distress.

The elections will run until June 1, with votes scheduled to be counted on June 4. Over 970 million voters, more than 10% of the world’s population, will elect 543 members to the lower house of Parliament for a five-year term.