India general election: Most exit polls predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power with a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha.
The counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place today. The results of the Indian general elections will be announced after the votes are counted. The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to win a landslide victory in the polls on election day.
When will the counting of votes begin for the Parliamentary elections? According to the Election Commission, counting will begin at 8 am in most polling stations.
Most post-election opinion polls had predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would remain in power with a thumping majority in Parliament.
Post-election opinion polls suggest that the Congress-led India Bloc will make a landslide jump to second place.
Meanwhile, security measures have been stepped up across the country in view of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections.
In northeast Delhi, police and paramilitary forces patrolled Nand Nagri, Seelampur, Dayalpur, Sonia Vihar and Bhajanpura. Vehicle checks were also conducted.
In Jammu and Kashmir, speaking about preparations for the vote counting day in Lok Sabha, Deputy Chief Secretary Jammu Sachin Kumar told ANI: “Political party candidates have been given ID cards and sensitisation is being carried out. In the counting areas, Section 144 has been introduced to maintain the sanctity of the code of conduct and ensure that no trouble occurs within 100 metres of the Centre.”
In Uttarakhand, Dehradun Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh inspected the security arrangements in the area ahead of the counting day.
“As per ECI rules, paramilitary forces have been deployed at the inner lines where vote counting will take place in two halls. Without a pass, no one can enter except polling officials or polling station staff. The second security level, up to 100 metres wide, is not accessible without a pass and cannot be entered without being screened.
Police and security forces are present. Private police are stationed at the outer barrier and there are parking spaces and places to store bags and mobile phones. We have three levels of security in place. Further, fire tenders have been reached at the spot and drills are being conducted…our forces have been briefed,” Singh said.
In Mumbai, security personnel carried out intensive patrolling and checks on the Eastern Expressway.
Meanwhile, Ayodhya Judicial Commissioner Praveen Kumar briefed on preparations for the counting day.
“Necessary arrangements have been made as per ECI guidelines…CCTVs have been installed…forces have been briefed…all untoward incidents are being monitored and action will be taken against those trying to create mischief,” the official said.