Voting for 59 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts of Uttar Pradesh will take place on Sunday in the third phase of the polls. Campaigning for the third phase of the state elections ended on Friday, with senior leaders of the parties making a final effort to woo voters.

59 assembly constituencies to vote in third phase of UP polls; 627 candidates in fray

Polling began in 58 assembly constituencies in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The polling booths opened at 7 am local time. There are 623 candidates in the fray in the first phase.

Polling underway in first phase of crucial state elections in India's Uttar Pradesh

Five Indian states are going to polls in February in what is seen as a bellwether elections. The elections are crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. They are being watched keenly in India, almost like the midterm elections in the US. In the next two months, elections will also be held in Punjab & Uttarakhand as well as in Goa and the northeastern state of Manipur. VO: Elections would be held for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand, 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa.

India's mammoth state elections: Why are they significant?