India starts voting in the world’s largest election as Modi seeks a third term as prime minister

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in a six-week election that’s a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics and is seeking a rare third term as the country’s leader.
Over 970 million voters will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for five years, during staggered elections that will run until June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4.The election is seen a