First round of polling opens in India’s national election - in pictures

  • Women vote at a polling station in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, during the first phase of India's general election on Friday. AFP
    Women vote at a polling station in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, during the first phase of India's general election on Friday. AFP
  • Women arrive at a polling station to cast their ballots in Parbatsar, Rajasthan. AFP
    Women arrive at a polling station to cast their ballots in Parbatsar, Rajasthan. AFP
  • People wait in a queue to vote in Chedema village, in the north-eastern state of Nagaland. AP
    People wait in a queue to vote in Chedema village, in the north-eastern state of Nagaland. AP
  • A woman leaves a polling booth after voting in Nongriat village, Meghalaya state. Reuters
    A woman leaves a polling booth after voting in Nongriat village, Meghalaya state. Reuters
  • Voters stand in queue at a polling station in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. AFP
    Voters stand in queue at a polling station in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. AFP
  • Voters present their documents at a polling station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Bloomberg
    Voters present their documents at a polling station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Bloomberg
  • The elections will last more than six weeks. Bloomberg
    The elections will last more than six weeks. Bloomberg
  • About one billion Indians began to vote on Friday. Bloomberg
    About one billion Indians began to vote on Friday. Bloomberg
  • India has more than 2,500 political parties, although 10 hold 86 per cent of the Lok Sabha’s seats. AFP
    India has more than 2,500 political parties, although 10 hold 86 per cent of the Lok Sabha’s seats. AFP
  • A woman leaves after casting her ballot at a polling station in Kuwaritol village, Assam state. AFP
    A woman leaves after casting her ballot at a polling station in Kuwaritol village, Assam state. AFP
  • A man has his finger marked after voting in Dugeli village, Chhattisgarh state. AFP
    A man has his finger marked after voting in Dugeli village, Chhattisgarh state. AFP
  • Recent polls suggest the BJP will secure a third term. AFP
    Recent polls suggest the BJP will secure a third term. AFP
  • First-time voter Visaalini, 19, shows her ink-marked finger after voting in Chennai. EPA
    First-time voter Visaalini, 19, shows her ink-marked finger after voting in Chennai. EPA
  • Hindu priest Vishnu Sabhahit shows his ink-marked finger after voting in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Reuters
    Hindu priest Vishnu Sabhahit shows his ink-marked finger after voting in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Reuters
  • The general elections will be held over seven phases between April 19 and June 1. AFP
    The general elections will be held over seven phases between April 19 and June 1. AFP
  • A voter shows her ink-marked finger outside a polling station in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Bloomberg
    A voter shows her ink-marked finger outside a polling station in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Bloomberg