Live updates:

Haryana

INC - 36 (lead)

BJP - 47 (lead)

INLD - 2 (lead)

Others - 5 (lead)

Jammu and Kashmir

Cong + NC - 48 (lead)

PDP - 4 (lead)

BJP - 28 (lead)

AIP - 1

Others  - 9 (lead)

Earlier update

Haryana, J&K await results as vote counting begins for assembly elections

Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh/Srinagar

Chandigarh/Srinagar, Oct 8: The stage is set in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) as the counting of votes for their respective Assembly elections began on Tuesday. The results will determine the political fate of key players in both states.

In Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress, as the principal opposition party, hopes to make a comeback. The counting process is underway across 93 counting centres spread across all 22 districts. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pankaj Agarwal stated that two counting centres have been set up for the Badshahpur, Gurugram, and Pataudi constituencies, while one centre is allocated for each of the remaining 87 constituencies. The Election Commission of India has appointed 90 counting observers to monitor the process.

In Jammu & Kashmir, voters eagerly await the results as counting began for all 90 Assembly constituencies across 20 districts at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. The political fate of 873 candidates, including senior leaders from the National Conference (NC), BJP, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference, Apni Party, CPI(M), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and several independent candidates, will be decided.

Both states are on edge as they await the outcomes that could reshape their political landscapes.