New Delhi, Dec 04: Counting of votes for four state assemblies that went to polls on December one began this morning amidst tight security to decide the fate of 5,000 plus candidates for 590 seats. As electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in all the states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Delhi - early trends are likely to emerge within a few hours and results are expected to be announced by evening.
Voting was held for 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 200 in Rajasthan, 90 in Chhattisgarh and 70 in Delhi.
Among those whose fate will be decided today are Chief Ministers of Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Sheila Dikshit, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijay Singh And Ajit Jogi respectively.
Among BJP leaders whose fortunes are sealed in the EVMs are the party's chief ministerial candidates in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi Vasundhara Raje, Uma Bharti and Madan Lal Khurana respectively.
A strong posse of security personnel have been deployed at all counting centres in the four states.
Exit polls on television channels after the elections predicted a clear win for BJP in Madhya Pradesh and the possibility of a hung assembly in Rajasthan and Chhattishgarh with Delhi clearly going in favour of Congress.
Bureau Report