India queues up to cast its vote

The five-phase voting process of India’s general election, in which roughly 714 million are eligible to cast their ballots, began on 16 April and will culminate on 13 May. The new government will be announced on 16 May.

The first phase of elections, held across 124 constituencies, was disrupted in Chattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkand and Maharashtra by Maoist insurgents, who blocked roads leading to voting stations, set polling booths alight and engaged in skirmishes with electoral officials. A total of 17 election officials and police officers are reported to have died in the clashes.

Despite the rocky start, voting has proceeded smoothly. However, reports point to voter apathy in Mumbai, where only 44% turned out, with security a major issue following last year’s terrorist attacks in the city. “The average voter, as gauged by the turnout percentage, has become cynical and indifferent to politicians,” said Vijaya Sampath, group general counsel and company secretary at Bharti Enterprises. “There is a general sense of distrust.”