The counting of votes for the Assembly elections began in the four states - Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Union Territory of Puducherry adhering to COVID-19 protocols. While Assam and West Bengal saw multiple phases of polling, electors in Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu cast their votes in a single phase on April 6.
On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra reviewed counting arrangements with senior officers of the commission and the CEOs of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Puducherry in a virtual meeting.
An official release said Chandra directed that all counting halls must be fully COVID-19 guidelines compliant.
"Contesting candidates have given details of approximately 1,50,000 counting agents (including substitutes) in five States/UT by the stipulated time. More than 90 per cent of them have already been facilitated RTPCR/RAT tests. The remaining are being provided the test facility today by the DEOs. The Commission has also directed to accept test reports from any authorized lab. This is also being followed in by-poll PCs/ACs," an Election Commission release said.
Counting will take place at 2,364 counting halls and 822 returning officers and more than 7,000 assistant returning officers have been designated for the purpose. The commission has deputed approximately 1100 Counting Observers to watch the process of counting.
Here are the LIVE updates:
- In Kerala, LDF leads on 52 seats, UDF leads on 38 seats, while the NDA is leading on one seat.
- DMK ahead in early leads in Tamil Nadu.
- Counting of postal ballots in Nandigram begins. Mamata Banerjee leading in initial rounds.
- After taking early leads in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress seems to have fallen behind the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is ahead in Assam too.
- Counting of votes also being done for by-election to Parliamentary constituencies in Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati), Karnataka (Belgaum), Kerala (Malappuram) and Tamil Nadu (Kanyakumari). Votes also being counted for by-election to Vidhan Sabha in 10 states.
- Counting of votes for Assembly Elections 2021 begins. Votes being counted across Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.