Reversing the initial trend in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls results, the the Samajwadi Party has now taken the lead both Gorakhpur and Phulpur constituencies Meanwhile, in Bihar, BJP is leading in Araria and Bhabua while RJD is leading in Jehanabad
Tight security arrangements have been made for the counting of ballots in the area and the results are expected to be declared by afternoon.
Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Uttam has written to the State Election Officer complaining that people and media were removed from the counting centre in Gorakhpur, where SP candidate Praveen Nishad is leading by over 14,648 votes over BJP at the end of ninth round of counting.
In an unprecedented move, the District Magistrate Rajeev Rautela reportedly walked into the counting centre and stopped personnel from giving updates to the media when gap between the SP and BJP candidate narrowed down. He also banned reporters from entering the counting area despite their having valid EC passes. The media regained access after protests and outrage by opposition leaders.
Uttam has alleged the district magistrate is working towards making the BJP candidate win the polls.
For the first time, media was reportedly kept at a distance of 15 feet from the area and the sight was blocked by curtains.
The Election Commission responded, saying the media cannot be allowed in the area of EVMs.
"Media is inside counting campus since morning. As per ECI instructions media can't be allowed in the area of EVMs. There is a Media Centre inside the Campus," said the poll body. "Media is being briefed personally by DM regarding each round's progress. 3 rounds' figures received from the Observers has already been announced," it further said.
In the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat, SP candidate Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel leading by 20,495 after 14th round of counting. The SP candidate was leading over BJP candidate Kaushalendra Patel, while independent Atiq Ahmed was at the third spot.
Meanwhile in Araria Lok Sabha by-election in Bihar, BJP's Pradip Singh is leading with 1,13,169 votes, followed by Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Sarafaraz Alam with 1,04,190.
In the state's assembly bypoll, the BJP is leading by 13,636 votes in Bhabua followed by the Congress with 11,108 votes, and the RJD has marked a clear lead in Jehanabad with 21,487 as JDU comes in second with 12,588 votes.
Stakes are high in Bihar as the by-elections are being seen as a litmus test for the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who last year broke away from the grand alliance and allied with the BJP
The counting of votes for the bypolls held on March 11, began at 8:00 am.
With Agency Inputs
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