Indian election begins today with 814 million voters

Indian general election begins today with the cast in two north-eastern provinces of Assam and Tripura which involves nine phases for six weeks, from April to May. A total of 814 million registered voters in India are ready to discharge their responsibilities in a democratic process that will only end in six weeks. The polling process on Monday involves six parliamentary constituencies, five in Assam and one in Tripura. In spite of the pressures facing the selection process for a long time, the authorities are confident the election will be smooth. All 930,000 polling locations are equipped with electronic ballot machines in which the security was enhanced, to ensure smooth electoral process. The security issues should be given priority because India is still vulnerable to the threat of the insurgents in the north and northeast states. Hundreds of thousands military personnel have been deployed to guard the polling centres. Meanwhile, the election commission informed that the eligible voters’ number has increased to 100 million people, which is equal to the population of the Philippines. A total of 543 seats are being contested and the party which gets 272 seats will form the government. The general elections will end on May 12 and the results are expected to be announced on May 16.