India’s Massive State Elections in Uttar Pradesh – The Numbers

State elections in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh begin Saturday. While it is only a poll for the local legislative assembly, the results of the vote in the northern state will play a big part in molding Indian politics for years to come.

Which parties, policies and politicians win votes will be a referendum on the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, particularly on his heavy-handed move late last year to battle black money by cancelling most of the country’s cash.

If his Bharatiya Janata Party can gain ground in the local assembly it will get more chances to place its own politicians in the Upper House of Parliament where it lacks a majority.

Here are some of the key numbers for the elections.