The fourth round of voting in the Indian parliamentary election kicked off in nine states and one union territory on Monday. The world’s largest election, which will determine India’s next government and prime minister, is being held in seven phases before the results are declared on June 4. 

Notably, elections are being held in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory for the first time since 2019. During that year, the federal government stripped the conflict-torn region of its special status and statehood. Polling will be held in Srinagar, one of the two Lower House (Lok Sabha) seats in the region. Polling for the other seat, Anantnag-Rajouri, will be held on May 25.  

Among the other states where people are casting their votes on Monday are Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Overall, 96 seats are at stake during the fourth phase. Incidents of violence at the polling stations have been reported in few states.