Counting for LS, Assembly seats begins today

The CEO would get information about allAssembly segments, besides the Parliamentary seats.He said for the first time, 25 additional Central observers have been posted in the state at his initiative to ensure objective, fair and transparent counting.

In Haryana, Lok Sabha trends are expected after 5 Pm and the results after mid-night. Results of smaller constituencies of Ambala, Rohtak and Rewari may be the first to be declared while those of Sirsa Lok Sabha and Fatehabad Assembly byelection would be delayed due to simultaneous counting of parliamentary and Assembly votes.

An additional central observer has been posted in Bhiwani, Rohtak and Hissar towns each while all other 42 counting places shall have one observer.

In Himachal Pradesh, 12 central observers have been posted to supervise counting at 55 centres.

SHIMLA: counting in Himachal Pradesh would start at 8 a m, simultaneously for the 65 assembly segments and three Lok Sabha constituencies, at 55 counting centres set-up at sub-divisional headquarters.

State Chief ElectoralOfficer Parminder Mathur said while polling parties from most of the assembly segments had already returned, parties from the snow-bound areas of Chamba and Shimla were expected to report late this evening. The counting, however, would start as par schedule.

The ballot boxes, which have reached the sub-divisional headquarters, had been kept under the supervision of the CRPF. The counting centres would have a tight security, she said. Twelve Election Commission observers would also be available at the district headquarters to supervise the counting. The election department officials feel that trends on the assembly polls would be available by 2 p m while final results would be available late in the evening.

DHARAMSALA: The BJP has demanded change in the counting staff deployed for the Baijnath assembly segment apprehending malpractice in the vote-counting process. Most of the employees are reported to be locals of the concerned constituency. Party election in-charge for the Kangra parliamentarysegment Sunil Manocha today met the election observers for Kangra to apprise them of the situation. He criticised the district administration for turning a blind eye to the BJP representations regarding foul play in polling process in the Baijnath and Shahpur segments.