Counting of votes begins in India, results expected by evening

NEW DELHI - Counting of votes began in India on Tuesday after polling for the general elections was held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, confirmed an official with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Final results are expected to be announced late Tuesday or on Wednesday. The winners will become members of the Indian Parliament's lower house "Lok Sabha", or the House of People.

The counting of votes began at 8:00 am local time (0230 GMT), according to the ECI.