Kasargod : Counting of votes relating to by-poll held for Manjeshwar assembly seat has been taken up today at Paivalike town government school.

In the 12th round UDF candidate is leading by over 9,872 votes.

The counting of votes so far is as follows:

UDF – M C Kamaruddin – 51,435

NDA – Raveesh Thantri Kuntar – 41,563

LDF – M Shankar Rai Master – 25,201

More details will be updated soon.

Counting is being undertaken in 17 rounds and results would be announced by today afternoon. Votes in five electronic voting machines have been taken up to start with along with VVPAT slips. 75.78 percent polling was recorded in the constituency, where polling took place on October 21.

Seven candidates are in the election fray altogether and their future would be decided by today afternoon. The by election here, where triangular contest has been witnessed, has drawn state-wide attention because of the fact that all the three parties have expressed confidence of winning the by-poll here.

The votes will be counted simultaneously in twelve tables. Votes in five EVMs and VVPAT slips are counted at the beginning. The EVMs will be selected by lots followed by counting from first booth to the 198th booth. Data will be entered after each round with the approval of election officer. People will be able to know the results on website www.results.ect.gov.in.

Seven candidates including UDF’s M C Khamaruddin, BJP’s Ravish Tantry Kuntaru, LDF’s M Shankar Rai, Ambedkar Right party of India (APA)’s Govindan B, and independents Khamaruddin M C, John D’ Souza I and Rajesh B are in the fray.

Tight police security has been arranged in Manjeshwar constituency limits apart from the counting center at Paivalike. Besides local police, para military forces have been deployed. Precautionary measures have been in place at Manjeshwar, Kumble, Badiadka, Kasargod and Vidyanagar police station limits.

Only the party that wins this bypoll has been permitted to celebrate. Celebrations can be organized only in places permitted by police in advance. Celebrations are not permitted after 6 pm. “Legal action will be taken in case of processions or celebrations in open vehicles,” warned DSP James Joseph. “Bike rally has been banned. Procession should not hinder traffic,” he stated.