ECI begins counting of votes for Haryana, J&K election
What's the story
The counting of votes for the recently concluded assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir began on Tuesday.
The process started at 8:00am and election officials and representatives from political parties were reportedly present at the counting centers by 5:00am.
A briefing for poll officials was scheduled at 6:00am before they took their positions at the counting tables.
Counting procedure
Counting process
The counting will start with postal ballots, reserved for categories like disabled persons, security personnel, and some government employees engaged in essential services.
This will be followed by counting votes cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Early trends are expected by noon, while a clearer picture of the results will be available by late afternoon.
The election results for each constituency will be declared as soon as their respective countings are over.
Historic election
J&K's 1st election since Article 370 revocation
Notably, this election is particularly important for Jammu & Kashmir as it is the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The abrogation split the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The assembly elections were held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, across all 90 constituencies.
Election dynamics
Political alliances and exit poll predictions
In these elections, the National Conference and Congress formed a joint alliance to contest, while the People's Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party chose to run independently.
Haryana also witnessed a diverse political contest for its 90 assembly seats with voting concluding on October 5.
According to CVoter exit poll predictions, both states could see a challenging path for the BJP.
In Haryana, Congress is predicted to secure a majority with between 50-58 seats out of the 90-member assembly.
Poll forecasts
Exit poll predictions for Jammu & Kashmir
In Jammu & Kashmir, the Congress-National Conference alliance is likely to do well with predictions that they could win 40-48 out of the 90 seats.
The BJP is expected to win between 27-32 seats, while Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) could win between six to 12 seats.
Independent candidates or smaller parties are likely to win six to 11 seats in the assembly.