Counting across the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur has begun at 8 am this morning. The BJP is hopeful of winning Uttar Pradesh while exit poll results predict Congress will win Punjab. What will be the actual results?
We get you the latest updates as they unfold at counting centres across these states.
1:15 pm: EC trends right now
Cong won 22 leading 56 (78)
SAD 1 won & 12 leading
BJP 3 leading
AAP 7 won & 14 leading (21)
Oth 2 leading
1:05 pm: Captain Singh on Bikram Singh Majithia: Don’t jump the gun, give me four weeks, let me identify those responsible for the menace
1 pm: It looks the SAD-BJP tally will be restricted to below 20. Disastrous outing for the alliance after ten years in power.
1 pm: Amarinder says his first priority to fight drugs
Having won Punjab for his party on his 75th birthday, Congress leader Amarinder Singh said that the first priority of his government would be to eradicate drugs from the state.
"The people of Punjab have given us a big mandate. Our first priority will be to eradicate drugs from Punjab. I have vowed to finish drugs within four weeks," a visibly happy Amarinder, who led the Congress back to power after a decade, told media after trends indicated that Congress was headed to a big win in the the state.
He was non-committal on having cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu becoming Deputy Chief Minister in the next Congress government in the state.
"That will be decided by the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. All ministers will be decided by the party leadership," Amarinder said.
12:49 pm: Amarinder says he was expecting 65 seats but the party has got 70+ seats.
12:44 pm: Kejriwal, who wanted to emerge as a national alternative to PM Modi, is having a bad day. His party is losing in both Punjab and Goa.
12:45 pm: Amarinder Thanks Rahul For Congress' Punjab Win
Congress Punjab head and its Chief Ministerial candidate Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday credited the party's stellar electoral performance to party President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul.
"I thank you people of Punjab, my leadership Rahulji and Soniaji," Amarinder Singh told reporters in his first remarks to the media after the Congress appeared set to return to power in Punjab.
He said the Congress MLAs would be meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday to decide about the swearing in ceremony and the cabinet formation in the border state.
The Congress was leading in 75 out of 117 assembly seats after over three and half hours of vote count that began at 8 a.m.
12:42 pm: Prominent Sikh riots advocate HS Phoolka is on course for win in Dakha. He was up against Manpreet Singh Ayali of the SAD.
12:35 pm:
Drugs is the first thing I will tackle: Amarinder
Health, education are all priorities: Amarinder
12:25 pm: Meeting of the CLP has been called for 2 pm tomorrow: Amarinder
Voters in Punjab are intelligent, they recognised that the AAP does not have a good leader: Amarinder
We have seen this many times that a third force comes in. In the end, the voters go towards one side. This is like a summer storm: Amarinder
On whether Kejriwal’s CM dreams are over, Amarinder said, ‘Yes, It is over’
Outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence, a pall of gloom @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/0rTIJHy5y3
— sweta dutta (@swetadutta27) March 11, 2017
12:20 pm: Amarinder addressing press now.
12:16 pm: Desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib is the biggest reason for our defeat, AAP ate our votes, not Congress: Tota Singh, SAD
Two more results by the way.
Winner from Bholath constituency – Sukhpal Singh Khaira, AAP
Winner from Chabbewal constituency – Dr. Raj Kumar, INC
12.10 pm: Meanwhile in Punjab, Sidhu is jubilant. “This is the revival of the Congress, it is just the beginning. Congress will spread from here,” he says.
WATCH: Congress's Navjot Singh Sidhu talks about role of his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/LKmnD1E1NF
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
12.05 pm: Here are the UP numbers – BJP wins+leads 312, SP 61, BSP 21.
12.00 pm: AAP Says We Are Disappointed With Punjab
The AAP said on Saturday it was disappointed it did not win the Punjab assembly election but added that even becoming the main opposition was an achievement.
"We were hoping to form a government in Punjab," Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh told IANS. "We are disappointed with the result," he said, as vote count showed the Congress sweeping to victory in assembly election.
"But for a new party (in the state) even coming at the second place is also a big thing," Ashutosh added. "Don't underestimate this."
He said all the AAP leaders needed to introspect where the party's assessment of taking power in the border state with more than 100 of the 117 seats went wrong.
11.59 am: Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat loses from Haridwar rural seat. Capt. Amarinder Singh has lost Lambi.
11.50 am: Former Manipur DGP Yumnam Joykumar Singh wins Uripok Assembly constituency, he was an NPP candidate. He wanted a BJP ticket but since he was a controversial and unpopular police chief, but close to CM, he wasn’t given ticket either by Congress or BJP.
11.45 am: Parkash Singh Badal has 20,000 lead in Lambi. Bhagwant Mann trailing in Jalalabad. Sukhbir still leading.
11.43 am: BJP ahead in all six seats in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh
11.39 am: Trouble for Rahul Gandhi? In Amethi, Congress is in fourth position. Garima Singh of the BJP is leading. Gaytri Prasad of SP is in second position, BSP’s Ram Ji is third.
11:28 am: We accept people’s verdict. Wait little more for the picture to get clear, says Harcharan Bains, media advisor to CM. This is the first official reaction from an Akali leader.
11.25 am: Congress on course for a marvellous victory in Punjab. It is currently leading in 71 seats according to our trends. Navjot Singh Sidhu has a healthy lead in Amritsar East. It looks like he is going to win after all. Will he be accommodated in the cabinet?
11:17 am: It’s time to look at the numbers and understand the poll pulse.
It looks like the AAP has not been able to effectively eat into the SAD vote-share in the state. As of 11:20 am, the SAD vote share in 24% and the AAP is at 23%. Even though the exit polls had predicted a rout for the SAD, it certainly doesnt look like it. The Akali Dal is leading in over 20 seats and the BJP in 2-3 seats.
Also, the AAP has not done as well as it should have in the Malwa belt where it was considered to be strong. The Congress has certainly been the dominant factor in that region.
11:14 am: Congress on course for a marvellous victory in Punjab. It is currently leading in 71 seats.
11:04 am: Navjot Singh Sidhu has a healthy lead in Amritsar East. It looks like he is going to win after all. Will he be accommodated in the cabinet?
10:59 am: Sukhpal Khaira of AAP leading in Bholath.
Congress celebrations have meanwhile begun outside Moti Bagh palace in Patiala
Congress candidate leading in Fatehgarh Sahib
10:52 am: His party may be losing but Sukhbir is on the winning side in Jalalabad. He might be gaining advantage from a division of votes between AAP and Congress.
As for Lambi, Parkash Singh Badal is leading by 10,000 votes over Amarinder.
10:51 am: Congress 66
AAP 23
SAD 21
BJP 4
OTHERS 3
10:46 am: Happy birthday Amarinder Singh. He turns 75 today and what a good day for him.
10:40 am: Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is having a gala time and might even get two-third majority. Unprecedented numbers.
10:31 am: Third round trends from Kharar | SAD’s Ranjit Gill leads by 200 votes. Ranjeet Gill 3275 votes , Jagmohan Kang ( 3092) Congress, AAP’ Kanwar Sandhu 2558 votes
10:27 am: Former hockey captain Pargat Singh of INC leading by 9112 in Jalandhar Cantt over SAD.
10:24 am: Trends from EC
Congress – 63
AAP – 22
SAD- 23
BJP – 5
10:23 am: In Hoshiarpur, Congress ahead on four out of 7 seats.
10:21 am: Congress having a really good run in the state. It is leading in 9 out of 10 seats in Gurdaspur.
10:20 am: Navjot Sidhu is leading by 6,000 votes in Amritsar East. Looks like he will win.
10:13 am: Some of the trends from a few seats:
Five-time MLA Rakesh Pandey (Cong) trailing from Ludhiana north.
Parveen Bansal (BJP) leads. This seat has SAD rebel Madan Lal Bagga and Congress rebel Hemraj Aggarwal contesting as independents.
Sucha Singh Chottepur third in Gurdaspur
10:10 am: In Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, polling for which was held, the Congress is leading by a huge margin.
10:05 am: Lok Insaf Party is leading in 1 seat.
10:04 am: Capt Amarinder leading by 9638 votes in Patiala over AAP
10:02 am: ‘These are trends. We will wait for the final results. We will congratulate Congress if it wins. Punjab needs a stable government not a khichdi.
We will be a healthy opposition if trends turn into final results. Exit polls had written us off at 6 or 7 seats, but as per trends we are already leading on 27 seats’ – SAD Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral
10:00 am: Round 4 leads from Majitha constituency
SAD 14229
INC 9256
AAP 1406
Bickram Singh Majithia is the SAD candidate here.
9:50 am: Trends according to Election Commission
Cong 51
SAD-BJP 28
AAP 22
Other 1
9:47 am: It does not look like a good day for the Aam Aadmi Party. All its major candidates are trailing.
HS Phoolka (AAP) trailing by 1667 votes from Dakha. Sitting MLA Manpreet Ayali (SAD) ahead.
9:46 am: Congress candidate Deepinder Dhillon leading by 180 votes in Derabassi. Congress candidate Balbir Sidhu leading by 156 votes in Mohali.
9:43 am: It’s looking like a tough fight in the Malwa region where the AAP is really strong. Both Congress and AAP leading in 7 seats each.
9:41 am: Update from Jalalabad where the deputy CM Sukhbir Badal is leading by over 2,000 votes. Bhagwant Mann is in third place.
9:40 am: So the Punjab CM is now starting to get a healthy lead of 3,000 votes over Amarinder. This is a prestige seat for the Badals along with Jalalabad.
9:36 am: Cong leading in 55 seats, very close to half-way mark in Punjab
9:33 am: OB vans are lining outside Amarinder residence in Chandigarh.
9:31 am: Second round leads from Fatehgarh Sahib are here.
Kuljit Singh Nagra (Cong) 8046
Didar S Bhatti (SAD) 5655
Lakhbir S Rai (AAP) 3231
9:30 am: Akali supporters outside Badal residence in Lambi
9:26 am: Congress leading in Khadoor Sahib. SAD leading in Lambi, Majitha & Moga
9:24 am: According to EC, AAP leading in Bhadaur, Budhlada, Bathinda Urban, Dhuri and Dirba, Nawanshahr and Nihal Singhwala, Roopnagar
9:19 am: Leads right now:
Cong: 42
AAP: 16
SAD: 9
9:15 am: The exit polls are proving to be right after all. Based on the leads right now, the Congress is winning Punjab. The AAP is in second spot but way far behind.
9:08 am: Bickram Singh Majithia leading in the Majitha seat by 1000 votes according to EC
9:05 am: The only seat where the AAP has a lead according to EC is Bhadaur where its candidate Pirmal Singh Dhaula is leading. Remember, the EC will take some time to update its numbers.
9:04 am: Amarinder Singh leading in Patiala by the way by 3500 votes.
9:00 am: The Congress is way ahead of its competitors in the state with leads in 24 seats. AAP leading in 8 seats and BJP-SAD alliance in 5 seats.
8.57 am: In Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal is leading with 5434 votes in Lambi. Remember, the 89-year-old CM has a tough fight there. Amarinder has 4189 votes currently.
8:55 am: Manpreet Badal, estranged cousin of Sukhbir Badal, predicts 62-70 seats for Congress.
8.57 am: In Uttarakhand, the BJP is leading in 10 while the Congress is second with 7 leads. Whoever gets to about 30 first will form government.
8. 55 am: BJP has taken a huge lead in Goa in the first few rounds of counting. They are now leading in 84 seats, while the SP+Congress are leading in 19. BSP in 16.
8.52 am: In Goa, there’s a technical glitch due to which no results are being displayed. The routers are down and therefore no results can be displayed. Suspense levels at its highest in that otherwise very relaxed state.
8.50 am: At the Samajwadi Party state headquarters, there’s a deserted look. Party state president Naresh Uttam present is at the office with over a dozen workers. Nobody yet from the top leadership.
8.45 am: In Uttarakhand, the Congress is leading in 1 seat while the BJP is leading in three.
8. 43 am: More details from UP. The BJP is now leading in 47 seats, the SP in 15, the BSP in 9 and others in four.
8.41 am: In Punjab, AAP is leading in two seats, Congress in one and SAD in one. A candidate from a smaller party is also leading in one seat.
8:35 am: I want to see the defeat of the Badals in front of my eyes, says AAP MP Bhagwant Mann on his way to the counting centre in Jalalabad.
8.33 am: We have 29 leads in Uttar Pradesh. BJP leading in 17, SP in 9, BSP 2 and others 2. Meanwhile, we’re also getting to know that drone cameras are being used for surveillance in Lucknow.
8.30 am: NDTV reports that Irom Sharmila is trailing in Manipur where she is in a fight with CM Okram Ibobi. So that’s one lead for Congress.
8.25 am: BJP is leading in 10 seats now. The SP+ in six, BSP in 1 and others in 2 – Uttar Pradesh.
8:23 am: The first leads in. Remember, these are purely postal votes. 2 for Congress, 2 for AAP, 1 for SAD. So its a mixed picture.
8:19 am: The Congress party meanwhile is closely watching over its rebels. If the party wins a simple majority, then the rebels will be kept out. But if the party falls short of majority, it may need the support of the rebels.
8:17 am: SAD’s Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has predicted a hung Assembly. That’s pretty strange. Read our story here for more details
8:15 am: Unlike past elections, this time the CM is said to have ensconced himself inside the Badal bungalow and has said no to visitors. Is this a sign of preparing for defeat?
8:10 am: So we just found out that it is Captain Amarinder Singh’s birthday today. He is currently said to be tracking the results from his home in Chandigarh and is expected to go to Patiala only if he wins. Remember, he is contesting from two seats: Patiala and Lambi where he takes on the sitting chief minister.
8.05 am: Rain in Uttarakhand and Manipur has not stopped the counting of votes there. Follow us as we bring you the latest election results as they unfold.
8.00 am: Counting has begun across the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand. We will get you the latest updates as they unfold.
7.57 am: In Uttarakhand, where exit poll results have indicated the BJP will win a majority, CM Harish Rawat will face a tough battle. The Congress is hopeful of winning in the range of 15-20 seats in the state.
7. 55 am: This is the Mohali district complex where counting will start in a few minutes. Candidates are yet to arrive.
7. 53 am: Will CM Okram Ibobi Singh retain power? He has been CM since 2002 and this time he faces activist Irom Sharmila. The BJP is hopeful of winning the state and putting an end to the Congress rule.
7.50 am: This election will also be a test for Prime Minister Modi’s demonetisation move. Will the people express their anger against their move or will it be a clear indication that the PM’s move has been accepted by the people?
7.45 am: Fifteen minutes to go before counting starts. The first hour will be postal votes following which votes from EVMs will be counted.
7.40 am: In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has the edge according to exit polls but many experts believe the key could lie with BSP supremo Mayawati. If it is a hung assembly, much will depend on who BSP decides to support and bring to power. Mayawati, therefore, could well be the Queen Maker.
7.35 am: Who will win Punjab? Exit poll results predict it will be a neck-and-neck finish in the state between the AAP and the Congress. The SAD-Punjab, it appears, will win less than 10 seats in the 117-member House. But, then again, these are exit poll predictions. They have gone wrong in the past, right?
7.30 am: In Goa, where the BJP is hopeful of retaining power, counting this time is expected to be quicker than in 2012. The counting centres have been doubled to ten in each district. So we could expect election leads as early as 10.30 am.
7.23 am: A little over half an hour to go before polling begins across five states. This election result will determine, in a way, who comes to power in 2019. If the BJP wins Uttar Pradesh, it is a clear indication that the Modi wave is back after a lull. So who will ultimately win? Stay tuned to find out.
Updates from March 10, 2017
While past elections in the state were a two-way fight between the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress, this time the entry of a resurgent Aam Aadmi Party has made the contest an interesting three-cornered one. That the AAP was able to win four seats in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 points to their popularity among Punjab voters.
So will 89-year-old Parkash Singh Badal get another shot at power? Or will it be Captain Amarinder Singh who makes his way to the chief minister’s chair? Will the Aam Aadmi Party taste victory in its debut election in the state Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates from the Punjab battle-field.
After more than a month of voting, election results are due in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand. Counting of votes will begin at 8 am today and trends are expected to start coming in at 11 am.
In the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh - India's largest and the most crucial to its politics - the BJP ran a hard-fought campaign to wrest power from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (which contested this time in alliance with Rahul Gandhi's Congress). An aggregate of Exit Polls have predicted a win for the BJP.
In Punjab however, all exit polls have predicted a wipeout for the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance and contest is seen between the Congress and the Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur election results will also throw up interesting political insights - critical for a read of the way things are shaping for the 2019 General Elections.
Counting will take place at 157 centres -- Punjab (53), Goa (2), UP (75), Uttarakhand (15) and Manipur (12). By 12 noon, a final picture could emerge on who would be the major players in the five states.
According to Election Commission guidelines, half-an-hour after the postal ballots are counted, the process of counting of EVM votes begins.
The 'ballot unit' is switched on in the presence of senior poll officials and counting agents of candidates and the result command keyed in to get the results per machine.
Where a paper trail audit or 'voter-verified paper audit trail' (VVPAT) has been used, the counting agent can call for a count of the paper slips in the drop box attached to the voting machine, but a final count is taken by the returning officer.
Once the results are declared, the names of the winning candidates will find mention in the gazette. The gazette notification will initiate the process to form the next legislative assemblies in the states.
