New Delhi - A temple priest, who is the lone voter registered at a polling station in the Gir lion sanctuary in India's western state of Gujarat, said he was proud of Indian democracy after he cast his ballot Thursday, news reports said.

Shri Guru Bharatdasji Darshandasji Maharaj, who voted at a makeshift polling booth watched by four officials, said he was a proud citizen of a nation which sends election officers miles away to collect just one vote.

The priest lives alone at a Hindu temple at Banej inside the Gir national park, home to the Asiatic lion, about 300 kilometres south-west of Gujarat's main city Ahmedabad.

Voting was held in 107 constituencies across India on Thursday in the third phase of India's five-phase month-long general election.

The Banej temple priest is one of 714 million voters who are eligible to vote in the general election. (dpa)