NEW DELHI (NEWSnet/AP) — Millions in India began voting Friday in a six-week election that's a referendum on Narendra Modi.

Modi, the prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics, seeks a rare third term.

A staggered election continues through June 1. People arrived several hours before polling stations opened in parts of 21 states. India has 28 states.

Voting ended at 6 p.m. (1230 GMT). Estimated turnout is 60% of 166.3 million eligible voters in the first round, the election authority said.

Nearly 970 million voters, more than 10% of the world’s population, will select 543 members to the lower house of Parliament for five years. Votes will be counted on June 4.

The second round is scheduled for April 26.

Authorities said voting on Friday was largely peaceful. According to media reports, some supporters of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress party clashed in Chhindwara, a city in central India.

If Modi wins, he’ll become only the second Indian leader to retain the seat for a third term, after Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation’s first prime minister.

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