November 23, 2024: The counting of votes for the crucial by-elections to five assembly constituencies in Assam, alongside 48 other assembly seats across 14 states, began today, marking a significant step in shaping the political landscape in various regions. The counting process commenced at 8:00 AM, with postal ballots being tallied first.

The by-polls, held over the past few weeks, span several states including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Voters in these states are now anxiously awaiting the results, which are expected to have a substantial impact on state-level politics.

In addition to the assembly elections, the counting of votes for the by-elections in the Wayanad and Nanded Lok Sabha constituencies has also begun today. These high-profile contests are drawing national attention as the outcome could influence political strategies at the national level.

In Maharashtra, the BJP-led coalition is currently ahead in 19 seats, while the Congress-led coalition is leading in 16. In Jharkhand, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in the lead in 17 constituencies, while the opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance is ahead in 11 seats.

However, Uttar Pradesh's by-election results are shaping up differently. The BJP appears to be trailing in some seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) is leading in two constituencies.

The five constituencies in Assam — Samaguri, Bihali, Sidli, Bangagaon, and Dhalai — are particularly significant as they could play a pivotal role in determining the political balance in the state. The results for these constituencies remain uncertain, and political parties are closely watching the counting trends to gauge potential shifts in their favor.

With the counting underway, all eyes are on the trends emerging from across the country, as today's results could set the stage for future political developments in several states.