With the counting of votes to start in the next few hours, India is awaiting the verdict in the crucial Assembly elections held recently in four states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Keralam—and the Union Territory of Puducherry. After record-breaking voter turnout and fierce political exchanges, the verdict sealed in EVMs stored in multi-layered security will be out definitively by Monday evening. On the eve of counting day, leaders across party lines made bold claims, raised concerns, and prepared to face the results.&nbsp;&nbsp;The atmosphere was charged till the final hours in West Bengal, which is witnessing the most fiercely contested battle. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said, “I offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. God is with us. A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-s-economy-on-the-precipice-of-extreme-calamity-says-white-house-economic-adviser-1777829547825">‘Iran’s economy on the precipice of extreme calamity,’ says White House economic adviser</a>&nbsp;The TMC also asserted emphatically that Mamata Banerjee is headed for a comfortable return. Party leader Kunal Ghosh claimed, “Mamata Banerjee is coming back with more than 200 seats.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Election Commission has ordered repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta assembly constituency, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process.”&nbsp;&nbsp;There was tight security across Kolkata, with senior CRPF officials inspecting strong rooms at Netaji Indoor Stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-targeting-canadians-harassing-diaspora-and-stealing-technology-says-canada-s-spy-agency-csis-1777819428317">China targeting Canadians, harassing diaspora and stealing technology, says Canada’s spy agency CSIS</a>&nbsp;Election officials have reiterated that counting will be conducted in a “free and fair” manner.&nbsp;The trend in Tamil Nadu appears more predictable and in accordance with exit polls as the ruling DMK-led alliance is expected to retain power.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Election Commission has implemented a three-tier security system and, for the first time, introduced QR code-based identity verification, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access sensitive areas.&nbsp;In Assam, the BJP is banking on its governance record to secure another term.&nbsp;Union Minister Piyush Goyal predicted confidently, “In Assam and Puducherry, the BJP will win for sure.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-renews-territorial-claim-objects-to-kailash-mansarovar-yatra-via-lipulekh-pass-mea-replies-1777835169249">Nepal renews territorial claim, objects to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass; MEA replies</a>&nbsp;The state witnessed high voter turnout, with women outnumbering men at polling booths—a trend that could play a crucial role in the final outcome. The BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma government has sought a mandate for stability and cultural identity.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Keralam, which is known for alternating governments, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is seeking an unprecedented consecutive term. Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are hopeful of a comeback.&nbsp;&nbsp;There was high voter turnout in Keralam, along with strong participation from women voters.&nbsp;In Puducherry, the contest is being closely watched as the BJP-led NDA is aiming to consolidate its position, while the Congress-DMK alliance is striving to regain ground.

The political atmosphere was charged till the final hours in West Bengal, which is witnessing the most fiercely contested poll battle. After record voter turnout and fierce political exchanges, the verdict sealed in EVMs stored in multi-layered security will be out by Monday evening.

With the counting of votes to start in the next few hours, India is awaiting the verdict in the crucial Assembly elections held recently in four states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Keralam—and the Union Territory of Puducherry. After record-breaking voter turnout and fierce political exchanges, the verdict sealed in EVMs stored in multi-layered security will be out definitively by Monday evening. On the eve of counting day, leaders across party lines made bold claims, raised concerns, and prepared to face the results. The atmosphere was charged till the final hours in West Bengal, which is witnessing the most fiercely contested battle. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said, “I offered prayers at the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. God is with us. A government that protects the interests of Sanatan Dharma is coming.” Also Read: ‘Iran’s economy on the precipice of extreme calamity,’ says White House economic adviser The TMC also asserted emphatically that Mamata Banerjee is headed for a comfortable return. Party leader Kunal Ghosh claimed, “Mamata Banerjee is coming back with more than 200 seats.” The Election Commission has ordered repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta assembly constituency, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process.” There was tight security across Kolkata, with senior CRPF officials inspecting strong rooms at Netaji Indoor Stadium. Also Read: China targeting Canadians, harassing diaspora and stealing technology, says Canada’s spy agency CSIS Election officials have reiterated that counting will be conducted in a “free and fair” manner. The trend in Tamil Nadu appears more predictable and in accordance with exit polls as the ruling DMK-led alliance is expected to retain power. The Election Commission has implemented a three-tier security system and, for the first time, introduced QR code-based identity verification, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access sensitive areas. In Assam, the BJP is banking on its governance record to secure another term. Union Minister Piyush Goyal predicted confidently, “In Assam and Puducherry, the BJP will win for sure.” Also Read: Nepal renews territorial claim, objects to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh Pass; MEA replies The state witnessed high voter turnout, with women outnumbering men at polling booths—a trend that could play a crucial role in the final outcome. The BJP's Himanta Biswa Sarma government has sought a mandate for stability and cultural identity. In Keralam, which is known for alternating governments, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is seeking an unprecedented consecutive term. Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are hopeful of a comeback. There was high voter turnout in Keralam, along with strong participation from women voters. In Puducherry, the contest is being closely watched as the BJP-led NDA is aiming to consolidate its position, while the Congress-DMK alliance is striving to regain ground.

The political atmosphere was charged till the final hours in West Bengal, which is witnessing the most fiercely contested poll battle. After record voter turnout and fierce political exchanges, the verdict sealed in EVMs stored in multi-layered security will be out by Monday evening.

India awaits verdict with bated breath in high-stakes 5-state assembly elections

Supreme Court rejects review plea filed by twenty-one Opposition parties seeking a direction to increase VVPAT verification from five to at least 50% of EVMs during counting of votes in the general elections 2019.

Supreme Court dismissed Opposition's plea seeking verification 50% of votes using VVPAT slips

Supreme Court rejects Opposition review plea on 50% VVPAT verification

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun.

Results for bypolls held in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, and Ramanagara and Jamakhandi legislative assembly seats will be declared later today.

Elections in the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies were held on November 3.

At the end of the stipulated voting period, &nbsp;Bellary parliamentary constituency had recorded the highest voter turnout (63.85 per cent) among the three Lok Sabha constituencies while Mandya saw the least (53.93 per cent). Among the assembly constituencies, Jamakhandi recorded 81.58 per cent while Ramanagara saw 73. 71 per cent voter turnout.

While JD(S) candidates contested from Mandya and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats and the Ramanagara assembly constituency, the Congress fielded candidates in the Bellary Lok Sabha seat and Jamakhandi assembly seat.

In Ramanagara, the JD (S) fielded Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy. The by-poll was necessitated after Kumaraswamy, who contested on two seats - Channapatna and Ramanagara - in the assembly elections earlier this year, decided to resign from Ramanagara.

The Shimoga Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former state chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa decided not to contest the assembly election from Shikaripura.

The terms for the Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya seats will be too short considering the fact that the Lok Sabha elections are due next year.&nbsp;

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun.

The ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance, which has seen rough patches time and again, is all set to undergo its first litmus test as counting of votes cast during the recently-held by-polls has begun. Results for bypolls held in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, and Ramanagara and Jamakhandi legislative assembly seats will be declared later today. Elections in the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies were held on November 3. At the end of the stipulated voting period, Bellary parliamentary constituency had recorded the highest voter turnout (63.85 per cent) among the three Lok Sabha constituencies while Mandya saw the least (53.93 per cent). Among the assembly constituencies, Jamakhandi recorded 81.58 per cent while Ramanagara saw 73. 71 per cent voter turnout. While JD(S) candidates contested from Mandya and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats and the Ramanagara assembly constituency, the Congress fielded candidates in the Bellary Lok Sabha seat and Jamakhandi assembly seat. In Ramanagara, the JD (S) fielded Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy. The by-poll was necessitated after Kumaraswamy, who contested on two seats - Channapatna and Ramanagara - in the assembly elections earlier this year, decided to resign from Ramanagara. The Shimoga Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after former state chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa decided not to contest the assembly election from Shikaripura. The terms for the Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya seats will be too short considering the fact that the Lok Sabha elections are due next year.

Karnataka bypolls: High stakes for Cong-JD(S) alliance as counting of votes begins

The counting of votes in the RK Nagar bypoll has begun.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RKNagarByPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RKNagarByPoll</a>: Counting of votes begins; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from outside a counting center in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chennai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chennai</a> <a href="https://t.co/c1OSHQ03Tf">pic.twitter.com/c1OSHQ03Tf</a>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RKNagarByPoll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RKNagarByPoll</a> Counting of votes underway ; Visuals from a counting center in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chennai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chennai</a> <a href="https://t.co/00fT9mYX4Q">pic.twitter.com/00fT9mYX4Q</a>
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RK Nagar is seen as not only politically symbolic but also as a litmus test for the ruling AIADMK.&nbsp;

This is where five-time former chief minister Jayalalithaa won her last two elections from, which is why the ruling AIADMK will be keen to retain it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The seat fell vacant after her death last year.&nbsp;

The bypoll is also being seen as a litmus test for the minority AIADMK government, with commentators saying the psychological fallout of a loss could affect it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The bypoll&nbsp;this time is a three-way contest between the AIADMK&#39;s E Madhusudhanan, rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran who is fighting as an independent candidate, and the opposition DMK&#39;s N Maruthu Ganesh.

First reports are saying Dinakaran is in the lead.&nbsp;

The RK Nagar by-elections were held on Thursday, with voter turnout recorded at&nbsp;77.68 per cent.

The election commission said the turnout was the highest figure since 2011.

The by-election was actually scheduled for April this year but was postponed after allegations surfaced of voters being bribed.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

RK Nagar is seen as politically symbolic -- this is where five-time former chief minister Jayalalithaa won her last two elections from -- and a litmus test for the ruling AIADMK

The counting of votes in the RK Nagar bypoll has begun. #RKNagarByPoll: Counting of votes begins; #Visuals from outside a counting center in #Chennai pic.twitter.com/c1OSHQ03Tf — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017 × #RKNagarByPoll Counting of votes underway ; Visuals from a counting center in #Chennai pic.twitter.com/00fT9mYX4Q — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017 × RK Nagar is seen as not only politically symbolic but also as a litmus test for the ruling AIADMK. This is where five-time former chief minister Jayalalithaa won her last two elections from, which is why the ruling AIADMK will be keen to retain it. The seat fell vacant after her death last year. The bypoll is also being seen as a litmus test for the minority AIADMK government, with commentators saying the psychological fallout of a loss could affect it. The bypoll this time is a three-way contest between the AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan, rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran who is fighting as an independent candidate, and the opposition DMK's N Maruthu Ganesh. First reports are saying Dinakaran is in the lead. The RK Nagar by-elections were held on Thursday, with voter turnout recorded at 77.68 per cent. The election commission said the turnout was the highest figure since 2011. The by-election was actually scheduled for April this year but was postponed after allegations surfaced of voters being bribed.

RK Nagar bypoll: Counting of votes begins; first reports say TTV Dinakaran in lead