New Delhi: Counting of votes for the Assembly by-elections in Datia (Madhya Pradesh), Bankipur (Bihar) and Manjalpur (Gujarat) will begin at 8 am on Monday, with all three contests drawing significant political attention.
The bypolls, held on July 30, are expected to provide an early indication of the political mood in the three states and could influence the strategies of major parties ahead of future Assembly elections.
Datia bypoll in focus
The Datia by-election in Madhya Pradesh is being closely watched as it comes in the backdrop of recent student protests and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The constituency recorded a 71.44% voter turnout, with the main contest between BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress nominee Ghanshyam Singh.
Political observers are also viewing the election as the first electoral test for newly appointed BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal.
Bankipur decides fate of 25 candidates
In Bihar, counting will take place at Kala Bhawan in Patna, where the fate of 25 candidates will be decided.
Election officials said Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been kept under three-layer security, with elaborate arrangements in place to ensure smooth counting.
The bypoll is expected to provide insights into the political equations in the state ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Manjalpur bypoll follows BJP MLA’s demise
Counting will also be held for the Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Gujarat, where the by-election was necessitated by the death of BJP MLA and former minister Yogesh Patel.
The constituency recorded a 37.5% voter turnout during polling.
The principal contest is between BJP candidate Satish Govindbhai Patel and Congress nominee Bhikhabhai Rabari.
The results from all three constituencies are expected later in the day and will be closely watched by political parties for their broader electoral implications.