In pictures: India elections third round

In the third round of the Indian general elections, Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani cast his vote in Ahmadabad in the state of Gujarat.

Voting in Gujarat was given extra tension after India's Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into the role played by the state's chief minister, Narendra Modi, in anti-Muslim riots that swept the state in 2002.

Despite an intense campaign by several community groups for people to exercise their right to vote, turnout in Mumbai did not appear to be high, with many experts predicting it would be lower than in 2004.

Voting also took place in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Turnout in areas hit by the separatist insurgency was reported to be low.

Disillusionment with India's main political parties has prompted a flurry of independent candidates - such as Mallika Sarabhai in Ahmadabad - to stand in the election.

Security during the voting has been tight, with thousands of army police and paramilitary personnel on duty to try and prevent no repetition of the violence which marred the first round of voting.

Among those who cast their vote on Thursday was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who did so in Lucknow. She appealed to voters to support her BSP party and to vote early.

About two million security personnel are being deployed over the five-phase vote. Votes will be counted on 16 May and the new parliament has to be constituted by 2 June.