India election: Counting underway after 642million people voted | BBC News

Votes are being counted in India after the world'sbiggest election was held in seven phases over sixweeks with hundreds of millions of people voting.

Early trends show Prime Minister Narendra Modi'sBJP-led NDA alliance is leading in nearly 300 seats.

Most exit polls had suggested a comfortable win forMr Modi's party, which is eyeing a rare third consecutive term in power.

However, the opposition alliance INDIA is performingbetter than expected and is ahead in more than 200 seats.

A party or alliance needs to win 272 seats in the543-member parliament to form the government.Results are expected later on Tuesday.