Counting of votes begins for five state Assemblies

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): The counting of votes in the Assembly polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry began this morning.

The counting is taking place in 142 counting halls in Assam, 140 in Kerala, 11 in Puducherry, 234 in Tamil Nadu and 312 in West Bengal.

The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for the massive exercise and pressed into service nearly 17,700 Central security personnel to provide a three-tier security.

The entire process would be videographed to prevent any malpractice.

According to Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi, the poll outcome is expected by "early lunch".

"Efficient and secure arrangements are in place for counting and declaration of results," he said.

In West Bengal, the result will decide whether the Communist Party of India led-Left Front Government will continue to serve a record fourth term or not.

Meanwhile, most surveys done by private televisions channels predicted a landslide victory for the Trinamool-Congress alliance, with one pegging the number of Left seats at just 60.

The Tamil Nadu poll outcome would be a test for Chief Minister M Karunanidhi government's performance in the state

The fate of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi's son and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and DMDK actor-founder Vijayakanth will also be decided.

In Assam, the result will decide fate of Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Tourism and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, Education Minister Gautam Bora from Batadraba, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora.

While, in Kerala poll outcome would be a test for Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's performance in the state.

In Puducherry, prominent candidates whose fate will be decided tomorrow, include Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, Ministers E Valsaraj, M Kandasamy, Malladi Krishna Rao, M.O.H.F Shajahan and A Namasivayam. (ANI)