One vote will shape India's development in coming years: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people, especially first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right in the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

"Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape India's development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first-time voters vote enthusiastically," Modi tweeted.

A total of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in the fray in this last phase of ongoing polls. The Prime Minister is seeking re-election from Varanasi and is contesting against Ajay Rai of the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Shalini Yadav.

Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. The counting of voting will begin on May 23.