India, the world's largest democracy, commenced voting on Friday for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, marking the beginning of a significant electoral process that will span seven phases. With approximately 970 million eligible voters across the country, this election is poised to be the largest democratic exercise globally.

The main battleground in this election is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Congress-led 'India' alliance. The BJP has set ambitious targets of securing 370 seats independently and aiming for 400 seats in coalition.

The Election Commission of India has finalized preparations for the polls, with the first phase of voting scheduled for April 19 in 102 constituencies. Tight security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the electoral process.

Over the course of six to seven phases, approximately 3,40,000 personnel from central forces will monitor the elections, which are expected to span a month. The Army, Central Reserve Police Force, and state police are on high alert, with heightened security measures in place, particularly in sensitive areas.

This election will see voters casting their ballots through electronic voting machines (EVMs) across 10.5 lakh polling stations. The number of registered voters in India stands at 96.88 million, including 47.1 million female voters, 49.7 million male voters, and over 48,000 transgender voters.

Political parties from across the spectrum, including national parties like the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and regional players like Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal, are contesting the elections. Each party is represented by its distinctive election symbol, which holds significant importance in the Indian electoral landscape.

Voting is being held in multiple phases across various states, with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur among those participating in the initial phases.

The results of the 18th Lok Sabha elections are eagerly anticipated and will be announced on June 4, shaping the political landscape of India for the coming years.