This 69 day election will be the longest in India’s electoral history. Social media have been used extensively in canvassing and for the first time voters have the opportunity not to vote for any candidates on offer. Here are a few varied voting reports. Last Monday the Times of India warned of a heat wave (44°C) and how this might reduce turnout in Kutch. The T of I also reports that ‘Chhattisgarh defies Maoists, creates history with 69.48% polling’. Meanwhile ‘Tribune’ on 10 May reports on the killing of one person by the police during protests in Srinagar against Indian rule. A curfew followed. My favourite comes from Zee news in Leh, Ladakh which says that at 5000 metres ‘Anlaythu polling station became the world’s highest on Wednesday.’ Choppers were used to fly in the ’60-70 people expected to cast their votes.’ A very high turnout was expected.

There has been much argument about Modi’s success in Gujarat and whether his ‘model’ would work nationally. Certainly there has been massive industrial development but what about the pastoral ethnic communities? Modi’s methods have been questioned vigorously too.
In London last night there seemed little doubt that the BJP would win but this would be dangerous for India as a whole without a moderating coalition. The result should be known today.