Photos: First phase of voting begins for India's Lok Sabha election 2024

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories. The mega seven-phase electoral exercise began at 7:00 a.m. Indians began voting in the world’s largest election as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought a historic third term on the back of issues such as growth, welfare, and personal popularity. Above, voters queue up to cast their ballot outside a polling station in Dugeli village of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state.

Polling for assembly elections in the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also started with voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday morning.

Voters line up outside a polling station to vote during the first phase of the general election in Kairana, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, April 19, 2024.

A man assists an elderly voter as she arrives to cast her vote during phase-I voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh.

Voters with their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes for the first phase of the Lok Sabha Polls in Sivasagar on Friday.

Voters register outside a polling station during the first phase of voting for national elections in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, on Friday, April 19, 2024.

The first phase, with the most parliamentary constituencies among all seven phases, will witness polling in 21 states and Union Territories.

A newly married couple show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes in Udhampur on Friday.

During the first phase of the general election in Imphal, Manipur, India, voters queue as they wait to cast their votes next to security force personnel outside a polling station.

A polling officer marks a voter's finger before casting her vote during the first phase of parliamentary elections at a polling booth in Chhindwara.

Security personnel stand guard as women arrive to cast their votes during Phase-I voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Kathua.

A voter's finger is marked with indelible ink after casting a ballot at a polling station during the first phase of voting for national elections in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

A voter and her child wait to cast their ballot outside a polling station in Dugeli village, Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh state.

Women show their inked fingers after casting their ballots to vote in the first phase of India's general election outside a polling station near the India-Bangladesh border in Seoraguri village, Dinhata district of Cooch Behar in the country's West Bengal state.

Voters leave on trucks after casting their ballot during the first phase of voting for India's general election in Dugeli village of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state.

Voters queue to cast their ballots at a polling station in Kairana, Shamli district, in Uttar Pradesh state, on April 19, 2024, in the first phase of India's general election.

Elderly women voters walk out from a polling station after casting their votes in Bhetaguri village in the Dinhata area of Cooch Behar district around 750 km north of Kolkata on April 19, 2024.