With some 814 million voters, India’s general election is a democratic event of huge significance – and staggering  complexity. In the first of a series of dispatches on the five-week process, Andrew Buncombe reports from Khowai

People in parts of the north-eastern states of Assam and Tripura went and cast their ballots in the first of nine days that have been set aside for voting

The leaders of India’s two main parties heaped fresh attacks on one another in an increasingly bitter campaign prior to the first of nine days of voting.

As the country goes to the polls, Andrew Buncombe visits a Delhi school which changes young lives

Around 120m will be first-time voters

Voting gets underway in the biggest-ever democratic process next Monday and ahead of the first of nine polling days, the ruling Congress party has been reaching out to India’s Muslim groups.

Recently, discrimination has turned to violence, especially in Rakhine state

Charges carry the death penalty, should the trial proceed that far

Five years after the Sri Lankan army crushed the remnants of a once-powerful rebel force, the United Nations is to launch a formal investigation into allegations that war crimes were committed by both sides.

It is being called the battle for Kashi. Two weeks before India embarks on a massive, month-long election, one of the most intriguing and closely watched contests is shaping up in the ancient, sacred city of Varanasi.