Gujarat election results 2017 LIVE: Modi's prestige at stake, acid test for Rahul Gandhi

Counting for votes in the high-stakes Gujarat Assembly Election today. Results of the much awaited Assembly polls will determine the future course of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home turf who has also served as the chief minister of Gujarat for four times.

The state witnessed its first phase polls on December 9 with a 65.75 per cent voter turnout and the second phase polls on December 14 saw a turnout of 69.99 per cent. The overall voter turnout for the Gujarat Assembly election according to Election Commission stood at 68. 41 per cent.

The festival of democracy gained momentum with aggressive election campaigns by the two key players - the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the grand old Congress party. People across the state turned up in great numbers to be a part of the decisive election.

According to the exit polls results, the prediction hints that the BJP is set to form the Gujarat government for the sixth consecutive time, however, today's result will most probably change the future course of Gujarat.

GUJARAT ELECTION RESULTS 2017 LIVE UPDATES:

#Visuals from BJP Office in #Gandhinagar ahead of counting of votes for all 182 assembly seats in the state, to begin at 8 AM #GujaratElection2017pic.twitter.com/3zhoX0ubgY

- ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

7:22 AM: Havan being performed outside the house of Rahul Gandhi in Delhi ahead of Gujarat election results.

Surat: Outside visuals of counting centre set up at Surat's Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology. Counting of votes to begin at 8 am. #GujaratElection2017pic.twitter.com/SYCkmWVwO8

- ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

7:05 AM:  After 22 years of anti-people politics, the BJP will be defeated in this election. It will not be able to cross more than 70-80 seats: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani

Visuals from outside a counting centre set up at Polytechnic College in Vadodara. Heavy security deployed. #GujaratElection2017pic.twitter.com/8pyjBMjz5I

- ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

6: 50 AM: Officials confirmed that there are three counting centres in Ahmedabad and two centres each in Anand and Surat. The remaining districts have been allotted a centre each.

6: 20 AM:  Security arrangements have been beefed up at the counting centres across the state to prevent any untoward event.

6: 18 AM:  1,828 candidates contested for 182 Assembly seats in Modi's home state.

6:03 AM: Counting to begin at 8 am at 37 centres across the state.

India Today My-Axis India prediction for seat share in Gujarat election.

The electioneering spearheaded by PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi saw a barrage of jibes and satirical comments flying to and fro. While the Congress with a renewed hope to resuscitate its lost ground cashed on the anti-incumbency factor, the BJP reinstated its aspirations for development and honouring the 'Gujarat ni Asmita' or pride of the Gujarati identity.

Despite the perils of GST and demonetisation, Prime Minister Modi emerged unscathed among the voter base who reciprocated their devotion by thronging his rallies across the states in large numbers. Both PM Modi and BJP chief ensured that they continued their tirade against the Congress and their claims in the rallies.

Party-wise voter preference across the state.

The newly-coronated Congress party president Rahul Gandhi garnered support from a vast populace. Several pundits credit this to Rahul's revitalised image as a politician who is both meticulous and someone who raked up issues concerning the people. By allying with three young turks Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor, the Congress attempted to reach out to the young and the underprivileged in Modi's state.

India Today My-Axis India prediction for vote share in Gujarat election.

BJP's Amit Shah had at multiple occasions vouched for a 150-seat victory and Rahul Gandhi recently claimed that they expect a 'zabardast' outcome in the Gujarat election.