World's biggest show of democracy begins

The high-stakes battle in the virtual Presidential-style contest between BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi with a few other regional satraps also in the fray in the Lok Sabha elections began on Monday in six constituencies in two states in the first of the nine-phased polls.

Also Read: First phase of Lok Sabha polls begin in Assam, Tripura

Five constituencies in Assam -- Tezpur, Kaliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur and Tripura (West) in Tripura – went to the polls on Monday.

Unlike in the past, neither factions of the ULFA, pro or anti-talks, have issued diktats to the voters for boycott of the elections or made any statement against any political party.

The total electorate in the country as per final published E-rolls with January 1, 2014 as the cut-off date is about 81.45 crore compared to 71.3 crore in 2009, an increase of more than 10 crore electors.

We present some photographs:

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An elderly woman displays the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote outside a polling station during the first phase of elections in Dibrugarh district of Assam

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Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (Left) showing shows his ink-marked finger after casting vote at a polling station in Jorhat. (Right) Gogoi's son and Congress candidate for Kaliabor constituency, Gaurav Gogoi after casting his vote at a polling station in Jorhat

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Voters display indelible ink mark on their fingers after casting vote outside a polling station during the first phase of elections in Dibrugarh district

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A woman holds her son as she casts her vote inside a booth at a polling station at Majuli in Assam's Jorhat district on Monday.

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Voters line up to cast their vote outside a polling station in Nakhrai village in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Monday.

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A woman gets her finger marked after voting at a polling station in Nakhrai village in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Monday.

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A security personnel stands guard as people line up to cast their vote outside a polling station in Nakhrai village in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Monday.

A woman shows her ink-marked finger after casting her vote as others line up to cast their ballot at a polling station in Nakhrai village in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Monday.

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People line up to cast their vote outside a polling station at Dhekiajuli in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Monday.

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A woman smokes bidi as she arrives to cast her vote, outside a polling station at Majuli in Assam’s Jorhat district on Monday.

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Voters stand in a queue to get their voting slip to cast their vote at a polling station in Majuli, Jorhat district, on Monday