Indians have participated in the fifth phase of a massive general election, the largest in the world with nearly 970 million eligible voters, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aiming for a rare third term.
Monday’s voting phase had the fewest constituencies, with 89.5 million voters eligible to vote for 49 seats in the lower house of parliament across six states and two union territories. The staggered seven-phase election began on April 19 and has already determined the outcomes for 428 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats. Results will be announced on June 4.
On the other hand, In January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple built on the site of a demolished Mughal-era mosque in Ayodhya, a politically significant city in Uttar Pradesh.
On Monday, the northern city was filled with voters, many of them Hindu devotees, queuing at polling stations despite the scorching heat.
Shachindra Sharma, a voter, said that while the Ram Temple holds religious significance for many Hindus like him, he would support a party that upholds constitutional values.
“Why should the Ram Temple influence voters? Lord Ram is a matter of faith, while voting is a democratic process to elect a government. Is there any guarantee that a party promoting the Ram Temple will ensure security and lead the country towards progress?” Sharma asked.
