Record number of voters, 642 million, cast their ballots in India's elections

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS. India's Election Commission said on Monday a record-breaking 642 million voters cast their ballots in the general electionthat concluded on June 1, Reuters reports.

The seven-phase vote - the world's largest - began on April 19 and was held in scorching summerheat in many parts of the country, with temperatures rising to nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122°F) in some north and northwestern regions, the report adds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance is projected to win a big majority,TV exit pollssaid on June 1, ahead of the counting on Tuesday.

Turnout among 968 million registered voters was 66,3%.

The results of the elections to the 543-seat lower house of India’s bicameral Parliament, the Lok Sabha will be declared on June 4.