Millions of Indians have voted in the first phase of the world’s largest elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term on the back of issues such as growth, welfare and Hindu nationalism.

The vote pits his BJP against an alliance of two dozen opposition parties that have promised greater affirmative action and more handouts.

According to Al Jazeera, before polls closed today, the Election Commission said voter turnout ranged from 40% in the sprawling northern state of Bihar, to 68% in the small northeastern state of Tripura.

In the multi-phase polls in 2019, the average voter turnout was 67%.

About 969 million people have registered to vote in the six-week elections, which will be conducted in seven phases between April 19th and June 1st 2024.