India holds 3rd phase of elections

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-01-2009 09:48

India has held the third phase of its general elections in a relatively peaceful atmosphere. The country saw an estimated 50 percent voter turnout, which electoral officials say is lower than the previous two phases of polling.

Voters wait in line at Lucknow montessori school polling station in Lucknow, India, April 30, 2009. India held the third phase of its general elections Thursday in the month- long polling which started in mid-April. (Xinhua/Stringer)

Heat in some parts of the country apparently affected the turnout rate. Temperatures in some places reached over 40 degrees Celsius.More than 144 million people were eligible to vote Thursday for 107 seats in India's 543-member lower house of Parliament. The remaining two phases of the voting are set for May 7th and 13th.

India normally holds staggered elections for logistical and security reasons.

Editor:Liu Fang