Counting of votes begins for assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
The counting of votes has begun for Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The counting is also underway for by-polls to Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat and six Assembly constituencies in five States. These Assembly constituencies are Rampur and Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh, Padampur in Odisha, Sardarshahar in Rajasthan, Kurhani in Bihar and Bhanupratappur in Chhattisgarh.
Elaborate arrangements have been made at all the counting centres.
In Gujarat, 37 counting centres have been set up covering 182 seats. More than 800 personnel have been deployed for the counting which includes 182 observers. A micro observer, counting supervisor and counting assistant are deployed at each counting table. The entire counting process is being videograph.
In Himachal Pradesh, 68 counting halls have been set up at 59 places. Mobile phone, iPad, laptop, and other recording devices have been banned at the counting centres.
In Gujarat, as per trends available BJP is leading on 111 seats, Congress on 22 seats and AAP on 7 seats. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was leading on Ghatlodia seat. Education Minister Jitu Vaghani was also leading in Bhavnagar West. Forest and Environment Minister Kiritsinh Rana was leading in Limbdi Constitutionery. However, Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of cricketer Ravendra Jadeja, was trailing on Jamnagar North seat. Patidar leader Hardik Patel was leading in Viramgam seat.
In Himachal Pradesh, as per trends available BJP is leading on 28 seats, Congress on 22 seats. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was leading in Seraj Constituency, his party colleague Anil Sharma from Mandi and Rajat Thakur from Dharmpur. The prominent Congress candidates who were leading include Satpal Singh Raizada from Una and Khimi Ram from Banjar.
