India's Election Commission has announced that the upcoming national election will be held in seven phases in April and May as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party seeks a second term.

Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora said Sunday the election will be held April 11, 18 and 23, and May 6, 12 and 19.

About 900 million people are eligible to vote in a staggered process allowing the government to deploy tens of thousands of troops to prevent violence and the capture of voting stations by party activists.

The votes will be counted May 23.

Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party hopes the government's recent tough stand against Pakistan will help it retain popularity despite suffering a setback in December when it lost three key state elections to the Congress party.