Modi votes as India's marathon election heats up

AFP | New Delhi     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his ballot yesterday in India's ongoing general election.

Turnout so far has dropped significantly compared with the last national poll in 2019, with analysts blaming widespread expectations that Modi will easily win a third term and hotter-than-average temperatures heading into the summer.

Modi walked out of a polling booth early morning in the city of Ahmedabad while holding up a finger marked with indelible ink, flanked by security personnel and cheered by supporters.

"In the grand ritual of democracy, everyone contributing their share deserves congratulations," Modi told reporters.

"Once again, I tell Indians... to come in huge numbers to vote and celebrate the festival of democracy."

The premier's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win the election convincingly, but since the vote began on April 19.

India's election is conducted in seven phases over six weeks to ease the immense logistical burden of staging the democratic exercise in the world's most populous country.

Modi told reporters after leaving the polling station that he encouraged voters to drink "as much water as possible".

"The more water you drink, the better your health and energy levels are maintained," he said.

Severe heat was forecast for several locations voting on Tuesday including the states of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.