Election security increased over fears of increased tension & violence

On 16 April 2009 the first phase of the Indian parliamentary elections will begin, with polls being held in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Security has been increased; up to 2 million additional security personnel have been deployed, particularly in Orissa and Assam, where Maoist rebels and separatists have increased their activities in light of the elections. While local elections held in December 2008 were peaceful, the increasingly bitter rhetoric and promises by Maoists to disrupt the vote have increased the threat of election-related violence. Additionally, neither the Congress Party nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are expected to win a clear majority in Parliament, which could lead to a bitterly contested election that might bring about additional tensions and possible violence.