In pictures: Indian poll's 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 Chief Minister Narendra Modi in anti-Muslim riots in 2002.

Despite a campaign by community groups for people to vote, turnout in Mumbai did not appear to be high, with many 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 forces trying to prevent a repetition of the violence that 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.

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.