Indians cast ballots in sixth phase of general election

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - Indians on Sunday cast their ballots in 59 parliamentary constituencies spread across seven states in the sixth phase of the general elections.

According to the country’s election commission, the voter turnout was recorded at 61.14% until 7.00 p.m. local time (1330GMT).

Eastern state of West Bengal recorded the highest 80.16% votes, while the capital New Delhi recorded the lowest with 56.11%.

Several complaints of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines were received from many parts of the capital.

Rahul Gandhi, head of the main opposition Congress, cast his vote at a polling both in Delhi.

"It was a good fight. Narendra Modi used hatred and I used love. And I think love will triumph. The people are our boss. We will accept the people's mandate," Gandhi told reporters.

Reports of violence were also received from West Bengal, where ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Bharati Ghosh was allegedly attacked twice by locals when she tried to visit polling stations in her Ghatal constituency on Sunday.

Her security guard was also reported to be injured in stone pelting, said the Press Trust of India, a local news agency.

With the world’s largest electorate -- nearly 900 million -- the elections in India is being held in seven phases through May 19, the counting will be held on May 23, and the results are expected to be announced the same day.

The ruling right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the biggest contender in the elections, with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a second term.