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Patna, November 14 (IANS) As the counting of votes for Bihar Assembly elections began on Friday, candidates of all political parties looked full of confidence.
Counting of votes for all 243 constituencies in the Bihar Assembly elections is underway amid elaborate, multi-layered security arrangements.
The counting of votes began at 8 am with the processing of postal ballots, followed by counting of votes from electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 8.30 am.
Speaking to IANS, Minister Ashok Chaudhary says, “Some people have voted to reject ‘Jungle Raj 2’ and bring back Nitish Kumar. We will get a clear majority.”
BJP candidate from Digha Sanjeev Chaurasia also said that NDA will form the government again in Bihar.
“We will see positive results because of the full support of the public,” Chawrasia told IANS.
Puran Lal Tudu, BJP candidate from Katoria assembly constituency, said, “Our supporters have contributed wholeheartedly, and I am confident that the contribution being made is completely honest.”
Grand alliance’s RJD expressed confidence that this time in Bihar it is a “vote for change” and Tejashwi Yadav will form the government.
Speaking to IANS, RJD candidate from Garkha Surendra Ram said, “It is very clear that the public has decided that Tejashwi government will be formed. After the results, the exit polls will be proved wrong.”
Candidates and their agents were allowed to monitor security outside the inner perimeter.
The counting of votes is being monitored by 243 returning officers and 243 counting observers appointed by the Election Commission. There are also more than 18,000 counting agents appointed by the candidates to oversee the process.
Only persons with valid passes are allowed entry into the counting centres, and use of mobile phones inside the counting halls is strictly prohibited.
More than 70 crore voters have cast their votes to decide the fate of the Grand Alliance and the ruling NDA in Bihar.
Bihar Assembly elections were held in two phases on 6 and 11 November.
The NDA currently has 131 seats, which includes 80 from BJP, 45 from JDU, 4 from HAM(S) and two independents.
Meanwhile, the opposition has 111 seats – RJD has 77, Congress has 19, CPI (ML) has 11, CPI (M) has 2 and CPI has 2 seats.
–IANS
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