NEW DELHI -- India, the world's most populous country and largest democracy, kicks off its weekslong, multiphase general elections on April 19, with popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a third straight five-year term in power.

About 970 million people in the South Asian country of more than 1.4 billion are eligible to vote, with ballot counting scheduled for June 4, three days after voting ends. Among those registered to vote are 18 million first-timers 18 or 19 years old, as well as 8.2 million people over 85.