Parliamentary elections in the world's third-largest democracy will be held this week, Associated Press reported. After weeks of colorful and largely peaceful campaigning, voters across the predominantly Islamic nation of 235 million will cast ballots Thursday for the 560-member legislature. A party or coalition that wins a fifth of the seats _ or 25 percent of the popular vote _ can nominate a candidate to compete in presidential elections on July 8. There are 171 million registered voters _ trailing only India and the United States in electoral size _ and turnout is expected to be high.
