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Counting under way in India poll Counting under way in India poll
(20 minutes later)
Counting has begun in India as the marathon general election in the world's largest democracy finally draws to a close.Counting has begun in India as the marathon general election in the world's largest democracy finally draws to a close.
The ruling Congress-led alliance is battling the opposition BJP coalition and a host of regional parties.The ruling Congress-led alliance is battling the opposition BJP coalition and a host of regional parties.
Most analysts and exit polls suggest no party will gain an overall majority.Most analysts and exit polls suggest no party will gain an overall majority.
Parties will have about two weeks to hammer out a workable government acceptable to the president. Parliament must then be constituted by 2 June.Parties will have about two weeks to hammer out a workable government acceptable to the president. Parliament must then be constituted by 2 June.
Turnout for the election has been put at about 60%, compared with 58% in 2004.Turnout for the election has been put at about 60%, compared with 58% in 2004.
Security has so far generally been considered a success, although about 60 people lost their lives, mostly in Maoist violence.Security has so far generally been considered a success, although about 60 people lost their lives, mostly in Maoist violence.
Clear patternClear pattern
Counting of the electronic voting machines began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and the first trends are expected to be available within 30 to 45 minutes. Counting of the electronic voting machines began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and the first trends are expected to be available quickly.
INDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Elections battleground mapINDIAN ELECTION AT A GLANCE Eligible voters: 714 millionPolling centres: 828,804Voting days: 16, 23, 30 April; 7, 13 MayVote counting: 16 May Elections battleground map
There should be a clear pattern by about noon local time.There should be a clear pattern by about noon local time.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder says there is a lot of security at the counting station he is attending in Delhi but that the atmosphere is festive.
The announcement of official results may take a while longer but the trends are likely to be reliable as they will be drawn from Election Commission results.The announcement of official results may take a while longer but the trends are likely to be reliable as they will be drawn from Election Commission results.
But given the expected tightness of the contest, correspondents say the real guessing game may only begin after all the results are declared.But given the expected tightness of the contest, correspondents say the real guessing game may only begin after all the results are declared.
Since polling ended on Wednesday, the two main parties have been involved in a series of political meetings, scrambling to gain pledges of support in the predicted hung parliament.Since polling ended on Wednesday, the two main parties have been involved in a series of political meetings, scrambling to gain pledges of support in the predicted hung parliament.
Voter turnout was put at about 60% across IndiaVoter turnout was put at about 60% across India
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says there have been suggestions that both the Congress and BJP are losing relevance in India, ceding political space to smaller, local parties. Our correspondent, Sanjoy Majumder, says there have been suggestions that both the Congress and BJP are losing relevance in India, ceding political space to smaller, local parties.
A strong performance will come as a major boost, he says, but a defeat will certainly spell the political end of the BJP's LK Advani and question the leadership quality of Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of the influential dynasty to head Congress.A strong performance will come as a major boost, he says, but a defeat will certainly spell the political end of the BJP's LK Advani and question the leadership quality of Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of the influential dynasty to head Congress.
The main thrust of the Congress manifesto is on economic recovery and boosting growth while the BJP has focused on easing taxation and recovering money illegally stashed abroad.
Two large swing states in the south - Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu - could be key in the overall result.
Caste clashesCaste clashes
Security is tight in a number of areas ahead of the results announcement.Security is tight in a number of areas ahead of the results announcement.
The BBC's Narayan Bareth in Jaipur, Rajasthan, says meetings of five or more people have been banned across the state with paramilitaries and armed police deployed.The BBC's Narayan Bareth in Jaipur, Rajasthan, says meetings of five or more people have been banned across the state with paramilitaries and armed police deployed.
Caste clashes in the state in 2007 and 2008 left 70 people dead.Caste clashes in the state in 2007 and 2008 left 70 people dead.
Many names have been suggested for PM if Manmohan Singh loses outMany names have been suggested for PM if Manmohan Singh loses out
Security is also tight in Indian-administered Kashmir.Security is also tight in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says police and paramilitaries are being deployed outside counting halls. The BBC's Binoo Joshi in Jammu says candidates arrived at counting stations at 0600 after morning prayers.
He says there have been violent demonstrations against the elections in parts of the Kashmir valley in recent weeks, although all the five phases of polling passed off by and large peacefully. There have been violent demonstrations against the elections in parts of the Kashmir valley in recent weeks, although all the five phases of polling passed off by and large peacefully.
After the counting the focus will fall on President Pratibha Patil.After the counting the focus will fall on President Pratibha Patil.
There are no rules in the constitution on who she can invite to form a government. It could be the single largest party or most dominant coalition. She may ask for documented pledges of support.There are no rules in the constitution on who she can invite to form a government. It could be the single largest party or most dominant coalition. She may ask for documented pledges of support.
As the marathon five-phase general election draws to a close, the government is breathing a sigh of relief that it has been largely trouble-free.As the marathon five-phase general election draws to a close, the government is breathing a sigh of relief that it has been largely trouble-free.
A senior home ministry official told the Times of India: "Although we cannot afford to be complacent now... it certainly gives us a kind of satisfaction that we could succeed in preventing any terror attack on the mainland."A senior home ministry official told the Times of India: "Although we cannot afford to be complacent now... it certainly gives us a kind of satisfaction that we could succeed in preventing any terror attack on the mainland."
Will you be following the results as the votes are counted? What are your hopes for the election result? Send us your views.Will you be following the results as the votes are counted? What are your hopes for the election result? Send us your views.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions