NewsGate Press Network

All is set for the big counting day on Thursday the 10th of march 2022 for assembly elections in five states namely Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

Agencies are reporting that on the eve of the counting of votes, the Election Commission announced the removal of three officials, including the nodal officer for EVMs in Varanasi, after a massive controversy erupted over Samajwadi Party’s allegation that electronic voting machines were being shifted in an unauthorised manner.

The poll panel also deputed Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer as a special officer in Meerut and the Bihar CEO in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary seat, to supervise the counting of votes.

The big ticket states are Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. UP sends the highest number of 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. For UP state assembly there are 403 MLA seats, also the highest number in any given state of the republic.

Several exit polls have forecast a clear majority for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and for the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, while predicting a hung assembly in Goa and a tight race between the BJP and the Congress in Uttarakhand. Except for Punjab, all other states were under the BJP.

Counting begins sharp at 8 am on Thursday morning for each assembly seat and will continue till the final outcome is announced or otherwise.