Millions suffer through heatwave on last day of India election

"It made a lot more sense to be out before the sun gets stronger," Devi, 42, told AFP from outside a booth in her neighbourhood soon after polls opened, admitting even at that early hour that the heat was taking a toll.

A Hindu priest fanning himself due to hot weather stands in a line to cast his vote during the seventh phase of the Loksabha election in Varanasi, India, on June 1, 2024. (AFP)