PEOPLE in India's biggest state, Uttar Pradesh, have begun voting in a month-long local election that has repercussions for the whole nation.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is so large, with 200 million people, that voting is spread over seven phases and will last until March 3. Results will be declared on March 6.
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Indian Muslim women display their indelible mark on their fingers as they react to the camera after casting their vote, in Gonda district, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
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Indian voters show their election cards as they stand in a queue to cast their ballots in Faizabad.
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An Indian security man stands guard as voters stand in a queue to cast their votes, in Faizabad.
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Indian Muslim women arrive to cast their vote as it rains in Gonda.
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An Indian Hindu holy man displays the indelible mark on his finger as he reacts to the camera after casting his vote, in Ayodhya.
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An Indian woman adjusts the cap of her child as she waits in a queue to cast her vote, in Ayodhya.
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Indian Hindu holy men along with others display their voter identification cards as they stand in a queue to cast their votes, in Ayodhya.
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ndian voters stand in a queue to cast their votes as it rains in Gonda.
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Indian paramilitary force soldiers stand guard as Indians wait in a queue to cast their vote outside a polling both, in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh.
Voting will be a test for the ruling Congress Party, which has been foundering in recent years. It hopes to extend its influence in the state, which sends 80 lawmakers to the national parliament.
Fifty-five of the 403 assembly constituencies saw polling in the first phase, with an estimate of 17 million people eligible to vote.
Uttar Pradesh is one of five Indian states voting for new governments. The polls have already concluded in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur, and will be held next month in Goa.
