Counting to begin after India's mammoth election

9 months ago 45

Live Reporting

Produced by Geeta Pandey & Vikas Pandey in Delhi and Edited by Sharanya Hrishikesh in London

All times stated are UK

A celebration of democracy
Elections in India are a vibrant affair as politicians hold massive rallies and energetic roadshows to reach out to voters.
Thousands show up at these events to pledge support for their preferred party and candidates.
As politicians give speeches from atop vehicles or stages, supporters shower them with flower petals and dance and beat drums while walking in long processions behind their convoys.
Want a glimpse? Here’s one of our videos that captures the campaign in all its chaotic glory.
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Video caption: The many flavours of India’s election campaigns
The key players
The election is a face-off between two major political coalitions: the governing BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the opposition bloc INDIA, which includes the main opposition Congress party.
The NDA represents a centre-right coalition, whereas the INDIA alliance leans towards the centre-left.
While Mr Modi is the face of the ruling alliance, the INDIA bloc has not selected a prime ministerial candidate.
Exit polls strongly suggest a clear majority for the NDA in the 543-seat parliament and a third consecutive term for Mr Modi.
Copyright: Getty Images
Image caption: INDIA alliance members pose together ahead of vote counting
So what’s happening today?
Counting of votes will start at 08:00 [02:30 GMT]. The electronic voting machines (EVMs), stored at heavily-guarded centres since polling day in different constituencies, will be opened and Election Commission officials will start counting votes.
Early trends will start coming fairly soon and by mid-morning in India, definitive trends will emerge in most constituencies and we’ll know which way the wind is blowing.
A word of caution though: sometimes a candidate - or a party - may take an early lead only to lose once the final tally is in.
Copyright: Getty Images
Welcome to our live coverage of India’s election results
The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here.
The results of India’s mammoth general election will be announced today.
Hundreds of millions have voted over the past six weeks to choose a new parliament for the next five years, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third consecutive term for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
More than two dozen opposition parties, including the once-dominant Congress, are taking them on as part of an alliance called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
With our team of reporters spread out across India, we’ll bring you all the exciting news from the day, stories of prominent winners and losers and a flavour of the celebrations and despair - so stay with us.