Assam results expected to be out by evening

Counting of postal votes polled in elections to the Assam Assembly were taken up first as counting began this morning in 48 centres across the state amidst tight security.

As the counting began in all the 126 constituencies by nearly 8000 personnel, the postal ballots were taken up to be followed by the votes recorded in the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the election office here said.

"The final results are expected to be declared by 6:PM," state's chief electoral officer M Sahu said.

The political fate of 1,081 candidates, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, leader of the Opposition former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary, BJP president Ranjit Dutta among others, will be decided.

The host of prominent ministers in the fray include Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bharat Narah, Pradyut Bordoloi and Rockybul Hussain, Ajanta Neog.

Polling, which was by and large peaceful was held in two phases on April four and April 11 and recorded a high voter turnout of more than 75%.