The Election Commission of India has made all the preparations for the month-long election in which Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used to cast votes.

According to opinion polls, the BJP, which has been in opposition for the past two terms, is anticipated to form the next federal government after defeating the Congress party, which has been in power since 2004.

815 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots, an increase of 100 million new voters compared with the 2009 election.

This is the first national election in which India's voters have the right to reject candidates by pressing a NOTA (None of the Above) button, after a Supreme Court ruling last year.

The hotly-contested election is being fought in nine phases from April 7 to May 12 around the key issues of corruption, inflation, unemployment, anti-incumbency and secularism.

The election results will be announced on May 16.