The general elections to the Indian Parliament
is the biggest democratic exercise in the world, with an electorate
of about 714 million. The polling is in five phases, between
April 16 and May 13. The votes will be counted on May 16 and most of
the results are also expected the same day. Rashtriya Janata Dal,
which was
a State party last time, is now a national party, taking the number of
national parties contesting the elections to seven. About 40 State
parties may also be in the arena. Here are some background imformation.