Elections 2019: As the first phase of General Elections in India began today, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and advised the people of the country to vote 'wisely'. With his post on the microblogging site, Gandhi slammed Narendra Modi-led BJP government saying that it promised 2 crore jobs, 15 lakhs in bank accounts and 'Ache Din', instead, the saffron party has betrayed the trust of the people. Therefore, he urged the citizens to vote for the 'soul of India'. "No 2 Crore JOBS. No 15 Lakhs in Bank A/C. No ACCHE DIN. Instead: No JOBS. DEMONETISATION. Farmers in Pain. GABBAR SINGH TAX. Suit Boot Sarkar. RAFALE. Lies. Lies. Lies. Distrust. Violence. HATE. Fear. You vote today for the soul of India. For her future. Vote wisely.", Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi urged the countrymen to cast their votes in record numbers and make use of their right to elect their leaders. PM paid special emphasis on young voters and asked them to vote in large numbers. “2019 Lok Sabha elections commence today. I call upon all those whose constituencies are voting in the first phase today to turn out in record numbers and exercise their franchise. I specially urge young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers” PM wrote on Twitter.

Besides, BJP Chief Amit Shah also requested everyone to get out and cast their vote.  He took to Twitter and  wrote, “As the voting for the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will begin today, I request each and every voter to come out and vote.”

Volling for 17th Lok Sabha election began on Thursday morning in 91 constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories in the first phase. Voting is also underway in 175 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, 32 in Sikkim and 28 seats in Odisha.

Polling in all the Lok Sabha constituencies of Andhra Pradesh (25), Telangana (17), Uttarakhand (5), Meghalaya (2) and Arunachal Pradesh (2) besides lone seats in Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep is being held.

Eight seats in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Maharashtra, six in Bihar, five in Assam, four in Odisha, two each in Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal and one seat in Chhattisgarh are also going to polls.

Voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats is being held in seven phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting will be done on May 23.