Originally published on March 6, 2014
Indian officials announced March 5th that the world's biggest election will begin on April 7th, with hundreds of millions of Indians voting for a new parliament.
Voting will take place at 930,000 polling stations across India starting April 7th, with some 814 million people registered to vote this year.
Around 100 million new voters are on the rolls since the last election in 2009, with over 23 million of these new voters between the ages of 18 and 19.
Voting for a new parliament will take place in nine stages from April 7th through May 12th. A final result is expected May 16th.
Election-related violence is a concern for the government and Delhi police broke up clashes between rival political supporters just hours after the poll date was announced on Wednesday.
Eliminating endemic corruption is a major concern cited by voters who say they plan to vote against the ruling National Congress Party.
The Indian parliament is made up of 545 seats, with two out of that number appointed.
In total, 543 out of 545 seats in the Indian parliament are up for grabs this year and polls continue to show the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, widening its lead over the ruling National Congress Party that has governed India for most of the years since its independence from Britain in 1947.
Although analysts say an outright majority win by the Bharatiya Janata Party could be difficult, some type of collation could emerge and BJP leader Narendra Modi is favored in polls to lead India's next government.
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