India's general election kick off

India's general elections began Monday, with voting starting in two northeastern states of Assam and Tripura in the first of the nine-phase polling over six weeks.

Voting started at 7 a.m. (local time) in six constituencies -- five in Assam and one in Tripura -- and will end at 5 p.m. (local time).

Some 814 million people will exercise their franchise in 930, 000 polling stations across the country to elect a new government. The elections will end on May 12 with results due on May 16.

While Rahul Gandhi is the ruling Congress party's prime ministerial aspirant, Narendra Modi is the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's contender for the top post.