Thursday, May 12, 2011: After one month long anxious wait the D-day is finally nearing for deciding the next rulers of the state. The fate of 971 candidates who entered in poll fray for the elections to the 140-member Kerala assembly, would be decided tomorrow.
With only a day left for the counting, all political parties including the UDF as well as the ruling LDF have their fingers crossed, while the BJP is hoping to open its account in Kerala this time.
All arrangements are in place for the vote counting on in the Assembly polls in five states on May 13. The polling officers would start counting the postal ballot votes at 8 a.m. while counting of votes polled in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would begin at 8.30 a.m. A clear cut picture of the election scenario in the state will be revealed by 10.30 am.
The UDF camp is in an upbeat mode claiming that they would win at least 85 seats, meanwhile the LDF claim that they would win by a huge margin and retain power.
The results of the Assembly polls in five states are expected by noon on Friday when the counting of votes would start at 839 counting halls spread over Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
An elaborate three tier security arrangement has been put in place for the exercise, which would start at 8 AM involving 43,982 officials and nearly 17,700 central security personnel keeping a hawk eyed vigil.
“By early lunch”, was the response of Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi when asked when the first result is expected of the keenly contested elections.
The entire exercise, which would decide the fate of several political heavyweights, would be videographed to prevent any malpractice, the CEC told reporters.
“Efficient and secure arrangements are in place for counting and declaration of results”, he said, adding that a computer centre would be functional within the counting hall.
Kerala assembly election results 2011
