Month-long election begins in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

Residents in India’s largest state began voting on Feb. 8, 2012, in a monthlong local election with repercussions for the whole nation.

5 Seconds

00:00

Feb. 8, 2012

Voters line up outside a polling booth to cast ballots in the state assembly election in Haraiya town, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Millions went to the polls in Uttar Pradesh, the first stage of an election that tests support for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government ahead of a nationwide vote in two years.

Jitendra Prakash / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

Voters stand in a queue to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Ayodhya, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

Election officials seal an electronic voting machine at the end of the first phase of polling in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

A polling officer switches off an Electronic Voting Machine at the end of polls at a polling station in Ayodhya during the state assembly election in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

An election official checks the identity of a Hindu holy man preparing to cast his vote in Ayodhya, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

A polling official, hands seen at left, marks the index finger of a woman with indelible ink before she casts her vote inside a polling booth in Gonda, India.

Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

A Hindu holy man shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in Ayodhya during the state assembly election in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

A Hindu holy man holds his voter identity card as he walks toward a polling station to cast his ballot during the state assembly election in Ayodhya in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

A Hindu holy man looks at a sample ballot before casting his vote in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

A boy pushes the bike of a Hindu holy man as he leaves after casting his vote at a polling station during the state assembly election in Ayodhya in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

Voters crowd outside a polling booth to cast their ballots in Basti district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Jitendra Prakash / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

An election official checks the identity of voters before allowing them to cast their ballots in Ayodhya, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

An elderly woman staying in an ashram comes out after casting her vote in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

Hindu holy men along with others display their voter identification cards as they stand in a queue to cast their votes in Ayodhya, India.

Manish Swarup / AP

Feb. 8, 2012

Veiled Muslim women leave a polling station after casting their vote at Basti during the state assembly election in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Jitendra Prakash / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

Voters display their voter identity cards as they wait for their turn to cast their ballot at a polling station at Basti, during the state assembly election in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Jitendra Prakash / Reuters

Feb. 8, 2012

Voters stand in a queue to cast their votes as it rains in Gonda, India.

Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP

Featured Photo Galleries

Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients

President Obama honored a diverse group of political and cultural icons.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.