Early trend shows BJP ahead in UP, AAP in Punjab

Counting of votes is underway for assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur. The counting trends and results are available on the Election Commission website and will be updated every few minutes to display the current round-wise trends and results of each constituency. The trends and results are also accessible through the Voter helpline Mobile App. Counting of votes for by-election to Majuli Assembly seat in Assam is also being held simultaneously.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made following guidelines issued by the Election Commission for smooth conduct of the counting process. The Commission has said that 671 counting observers, 130 police observers, 10 special observers will be on ground to ensure a smooth counting process. Briefing the media in New Delhi, Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar said, the Commission has also deputed two special officers, Chief Electoral Officer Delhi to Meerut and Chief Electoral Officer Bihar to Varanasi to supervise the counting arrangements in the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Kumar said, the Supreme Court on 8th April 2019, in the interest of greater satisfaction of the stakeholders, increased the sample size of number of VVPAT slips to be matched with EVM counting from the then existing one polling station per assembly constituency or segment to five polling stations per assembly constituency or segment. He said, the direction of the Supreme Court is being strictly followed by the Election Commission in every election. Mr Kumar said, in case, the margin of victory is less than the number of postal ballot papers rejected as invalid at the time of counting, all the rejected postal ballot papers shall be mandatorily re-verified by the returning officers before the declaration of results.

As per report at 10,00  a m, in UP, BJP was leading more than 200 seats