Gorakhpur/Varanasi/Trivandrum, Apr 16 : Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections across 15 states and two Union Territories began today amid tight security.

A total of 1,715 candidates, including 122 women, are contesting for the 124 seats, where over nine lakh officials have been deployed across 1.85 lakh polling stations.

The government has also ordered for a stringent check on the state borders to prevent movement of criminals and liquor.