Parliamentary elections in India began this morning (Friday, April 19).

These elections are held in seven stages from mid-April to early June of 2024 to ensure the security of polling stations across India.

With 969 million eligible voters, the Indian elections are called the largest elections in the world.

In addition to ballot boxes, electronic voting machines are also available for voters.

"I feel very happy (after casting the vote). I come here every time and I was waiting for this day, because this is in the interest of my nation," said Saraswati, a voter.

"And I am sure that this time our young voters are going to come not only alone but we have appealed to them to bring, to become our ambassadors, become our influencers," said Rajiv Kumar, chief election commissioner of India.

In these elections, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India and the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is seeking his third term as Prime Minister.

Modi has pledged that if he wins this election, he will elevate India's economy, which is currently ranked fifth in the world, to third place.

Modi said: "If you give even one vote to the Congress party or the Communists, they cannot form a government at the centre… your vote will go to waste. Hence, your vote should go to the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) which will form the government. That is my guarantee."

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress Party in India, who leads a group of opposition parties in this election, is mentioned as Modi's main rival.

The Indian Congress Party has pledged that if there is no fraud, they will win this election.

Priyanka Gandhi, India’s main opposition congress party leader, said: "If the elections in the country are conducted in a free and fair manner, where the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) is not tampered with, then I can say with full confidence that they (Bharatiya Janata Party) cannot win more than 180 seats (out of of the 543). In fact, even less than that."

The Indian Parliament consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House of Commons has 545 seats, of which 543 representatives are appointed by direct vote of the people, and two other representatives are chosen by the president from among British Indians.

For victory in these elections, a party or a coalition needs 272 seats. The results of these elections are scheduled to be announced on the 4th of June of the current year.