Ranchi, Nov 23 (UNI) Amid stringent three-tier security arrangements, counting of votes for all 81 Assembly constituencies of Jharkhand began at 8 a.m. in 24 centres across the state on Saturday.
The elections were held in two phases, with 43 constituencies going to the hustings on November 13, and the remaining 38 on November 20.
The postal ballots are being counted first, and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be opened for counting at 8-30 a.m.
State Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar has said trends are expected to start pouring in from 9-30 a.m. onwards. The final results are likely to be announced by 5 p.m.
The Election Commission has barred state police personnel from enter the counting halls.
The election process is expected to be completed by Monday, but Kumar has expressed the hope that it will be completed by Sunday.
The state has recorded a high overall voter turnout of 67.74 percent this time, the highest since its formation 24 years back.
