India's mammoth general elections have begun today, an exercise that will take over 40 days to complete. The selection of a new government comes amid nationwide unemployment, conflict with Pakistan, and debates about threats to India's secular fabric. The scale of this democratic process exceeds all elections to date. So what is at stake as 900-million voters head to the polls? CGTN's Ravinder Bawa explains.

It's time for general elections in India. Bhartiya Janta Part's Narendra Modi is pitted against Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress. The election is for the house of people or the Lok Sabha, which has 543 seats covering the country's twenty-nine states and seven union territories. This election will be conducted in 7 phases.

While the Election Commission works towards ensuring a free and fair election there is a lot at stake this time.

BJPS aspires to win a second term with a ruling majority. His contender the Congress party which lost badly to BJP in 2014, is working hard to resurrect itself by allying with the regional parties.

Political parties are using all tools available to campaign.

The results will be announced on 23rd May, when the Indian electorate will choose between a strongman styled leader or a dynast promising a secular and poverty-free India. Ravinder Bawa, CGTN, Delhi.