Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted early as India held the third phase of a massive general election on Tuesday, and called for a strong turnout although he warned of the scorching summer heat.
Nearly one billion people are eligible to vote in this seven-phase election, which got underway on April 19 in the most populous country in the world. Votes are scheduled to be tabulated on June 4.
In an election that will pit his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against a coalition of over two dozen opposition parties, Modi is running for an unusual third term in office.
According to polls, he will easily gain a majority.
“I urge all citizens to vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy… To all those working in the heat, I urge you to take care of your health and drink adequate water,” he said shortly after voting in his home state of Gujarat.
Modi cast his ballot in the Gandhinagar constituency where his number two, Home Minister Amit Shah, is the BJP candidate.
Clad in saffron and white, Modi was surrounded by hundreds of supporters and party members, signing autographs and talking to children on the way to the polling booth.
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