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Counting under way in India poll Counting under way in India poll
(10 minutes later)
Counting is well under way in India as the marathon general election in the world's largest democracy finally draws to a close.Counting is well under way 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.
Early voting trends reported by state TV showed the Congress alliance ahead in 163 seats, the BJP coalition in 88 and the Third Front in 41. Early voting trends reported by state TV showed the Congress alliance ahead in 184 seats, the BJP coalition in 109 and the Third Front in 49.
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 began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and with electronic voting machines being used the first trends were quickly available.Counting began at 0800 local time (0230 GMT) and with electronic voting machines being used the first trends were quickly available.
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
State television Doordarshan said that at 0930 local time across 323 seats, the Congress alliance was ahead in 163, the BJP coalition in 88 and the Third Front in 41 with others at 31. State television Doordarshan said that at 0945 local time across 389 seats, the Congress alliance was ahead in 184, the BJP coalition in 109 and the Third Front in 49 with others at 47.
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 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 are 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 are 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
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.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.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.
The prime movers of the Third Front are the leftist parties and the BSP of iconic leader Mayawati.The prime movers of the Third Front are the leftist parties and the BSP of iconic leader Mayawati.
Two large swing states in the south - Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu - could be key in the overall result.Two large swing states in the south - Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu - could be key in the overall result.
The BBC's Omer Farooq in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, says the state turnout of 73% was the highest recorded and the political debut of popular film star Chiranjeevi could prove crucial. The BBC's Omer Farooq in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, says the state turnout of 73% was the highest recorded there and the political debut of popular film star Chiranjeevi could prove crucial.
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.
Many names have been suggested for PM if Manmohan Singh loses outMany names have been suggested for PM if Manmohan Singh loses out
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 that 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.
Victory processions have been banned in Uttar Pradesh.Victory processions have been banned in Uttar Pradesh.
Security is also tight in Indian-administered Kashmir.Security is also tight in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The BBC's Binoo Joshi in Jammu says candidates arrived at counting stations at 0600 after morning prayers.The BBC's Binoo Joshi in Jammu says candidates arrived at counting stations at 0600 after morning prayers.
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.
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