Thousands of soldiers fanned out across parts of India for Thursday's start of a monthlong election expected to leave the country with a shaky coalition government as it struggles with the global economic slump. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW DELHI - THE world's largest democratic elections opened on Thursday with tens of millions of people heading to vote in India in a monthlong process expected to yield no clear winner to lead the country as it grapples with global economic malaise.
Thursday's polling was the first of five phases in which a total of about 714 million people - more than twice the population of the United States - will be eligible to cast ballots.
Staggered elections
WITH more than 1.2 billion citizens, India normally holds staggered elections for logistic and security reasons.
Results of the massive election in the world's most populous democracy, which will use more than 1.3 million electronic voting machines in 828,804 polling stations, are expected May 16.
INDIANS began voting on Thursday in a staggered general election that will end on May 13. Results are due on May 16.
The main battle is between the Congress-led coalition government and the main opposition bloc, headed by the mainstream Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The first phase included central and eastern states battered by attacks by Maoist militants, leading to the deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers and police.
Early Thursday, suspected rebels opened fire on paramilitary soldiers patrolling in the eastern state of Jharkhand, killing six troops, police said.
Reinforcements were sent to secure the area in Latehar, about 80 miles (130 kilometres) northwest of Ranchi, the state capital, superintendent of police Hemant Topo said.
In the neighbouring state of Bihar suspected rebels attacked a polling station in Gaya district, killing a policeman, the area's Deputy Inspector General Anupama Nilokar said.
The guerrillas, known as Naxalites, have fought the government for decades in a handful of rural regions, charging authorities with plundering natural resources while providing little to local residents. Since Saturday, nearly 20 police officers have died in their attacks.
Thousands of troops were also patrolling the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which has the most seats in the national Parliament.
Sixteen of its 80 seats were up for grabs Thursday. Three out of 14 districts in the insurgency-hit northeastern state of Assam also started voting on Thursday.
'I am aware of threat by militants but one can't stay at home out of fear,' said Monalisa Bordoloi Chakravarty. The 30-year-old homemaker was among hundreds of people who lined up amid tight security at a polling station set up in a school in Diphu, headquarters of the rebel-infested Karbi Anglong district, 215 miles (350 kilometres) south of the state capital, Gauhati. -- AP
