Counting begins, early trends show LDF leading in Kerala

The counting of votes for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry began today amid stringent arrangements, with postal ballots being opened first for counting.

First trends emerging out of Kerala show LDF leading in 18 seats while the UDF leading in seven constituencies.

In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was leading in eleven seats, Left in three seats while BJP was leading in one seat till the last reports came in.

Heavy presence of security personnel was seen outside counting centres across five states, with multiple tiers of security being put in place to ensure smooth counting.

Meanwhile, AIADMK supporters gathered outside Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai in good numbers to wish luck for their beloved leader.

Although the final picture would be clear only by noon, early trends are likely to emerge as soon as the counting starts at 8 a.m. Election Commission has reportedly said counting of votes will be over by 3 p.m.

Exits polls have predicted an edge for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, while an outright win for incumbent Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.

The counting of votes will decide the fate of approximately 8,300 candidates, including political stalwarts like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Chief Minister M Rangaswamy in Puducherry.