Modi's party faces test in crucial Indian state election

Brisk voting is being reported in the eastern Indian state of Bihar where more than 74 million people are eligible to vote in a crucial election that will be a precursor to several key state polls.

Voters are casting their ballots for 243 seats in a two-phase election to choose the next state government. Counting of votes is scheduled for 14 November.

The election comes after a controversial revision of electoral rolls that the opposition alleged would exclude genuine voters and give an edge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP and India's Election Commission have denied these allegations.

Long queues were witnessed through the day outside the polling stations in all the 18 districts where voting was being held on Thursday. The second and final day of voting would be 11 November.

In hundreds of polling booths, people could be seen arriving in electric three-wheelers arranged by the district administration, especially for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

In Alipur district, a 70-year-old woman was carried on a cot to a polling centre by her family members. When reporters asked her for comments, she could hardly speak. Her relatives said she was unwell but still wanted to make sure that her vote counted.

Some polling stations were decorated with balloons and makeshift tents were arranged outside for voters to rest while they waited for their turn.

At many centres in Siwan, Darbhaga and Begusarai districts, voters could be seen clicking photos at selfie points set up by the local booth officials.

At 13:00 local time [07:30GMT], the voter turnout was recorded by the Election Commission at 42%.

Bihar is one of India's poorest and most populous states, which sees millions migrating to other states for jobs. It is also among the few states in India where Modi's party has not managed to form a government yet on its own.

The outgoing government is an alliance between the BJP and the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U). They are contesting the elections again together while India's main opposition Congress party has tied up with the regional Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and a number of smaller parties.

The election has also seen the entry of a new political party led by Prashant Kishor, a political consultant who has in the past worked with both the BJP and the Congress.