Ensure counting process is transparent, says CEC Nasim Zaidi

A day after assembly elections concluded in five states, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Friday said that it should be ensured that counting process should be entirely transparent and there should be no malpractice.

He further said that strong rooms where the counting will take place are under protection and security cover of Central police forces, CCTVs and other facilities.

Speaking to media, Nasim Zaidi said,''188 companies of Central paramilitary forces already deployed in UP to ensure safety at counting centres, also to maintain law and order.''

Counting of votes for the high- stakes assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will take place on Friday morning with trends expected to be available by 11 am.

Exit polls by various news channel had predicted a hung assembly in the key Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh where BJP would emerge as the single largest party, winning anywhere between 164 and 210 of the 403 seats.

Most polls also forecast a close fight between the Congress, which is seeking to return to power in Punjab after a hiatus of 10 years, and Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, making its debut in the assembly polls in the state. They predicted victory for BJP in Uttarakhand, but the saffron party, though likely to lead the table in Goa, was projected to fall short of a majority in the tiny coastal state.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)