International Desk

The rich tapestry of diverse Indian culture was on show across the vast expanse of the country, while the scorching summer sun was outshone by the colour and festivities in polling stations as the largest democracy in the world went to polls in the first phase of six-week parliamentary elections on Friday.

Voters were undeterred by rains in certain parts like Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and waited in long queues to cast votes across 102 Lok Sabha constituencies and 92 assembly constituencies in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Against the backdrop of a largely peaceful and conducive environment, the electorate painted vivid pictures of democracy in action. From bustling city centres to remote villages, the polling stations witnessed a colourful convergence of voters, some of them in ethnic and most in modern attires, spanning generations and backgrounds.

Communities in Maoist-affected areas in Chhattisgarh embraced the power of the ballot over bullet as 56 villages in Bastar cast their votes in a polling booth set up in their own village for the first time in a Lok Sabha election. Voters availed medical facilities at the model polling station in Bijapur constituency, another Maoist-hit place. In another instance from Gadchiroli-Chimur, Maharashtra, the local tribal dialect was used at a booth containing all relevant information about polling.

In faraway Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar made history by casting their votes for the first time in general elections this time. In Mizoram, an elderly couple reaffirmed their vow to vote together. In Arunachal Pradesh, an elderly woman trekked to the polling station of her own volition despite having a home voting facility.\

In a kaleidoscope of democracy in action, voters of all ages — from energetic youths to wise elders, couples, tribes, and beaming newlyweds joined the electoral festivity.

Indians will vote in six more phases till 1 June before the vote count is taken up on 4 June.

The parliamentary election is crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is seeking an unprecedented third successive term as the country’s top leader.