New Delhi, Mar 3: Counting of votes for Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly Elections 2018 will take place today. Counting is set to begin at 8 am and the results are expected to be out by afternoon. All eyes are on whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be able to change the political scenario in these three states by emerging victorious. Stay with us for Live updates on counting of votes in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Also Read - Tips to Travel Amid Pandemic | Where to Go, How to Plan, Honeymoon Destinations And More From 'Travel With Searats'
Exit polls have predicted a gain for the BJP in two states – Tripura and Nagaland – while a hung assembly has been predicted in Meghalaya. According to exit polls, the NDPP-BJP alliance is likely to win 27 to 35 seats while the ruling NPF may not get more than 25 in the 60-seat assembly. In Tripura, the BJP may end the Left rule, say exit polls. Also Read - 'Should We Hang Ourselves If Vaccines Are Not Available' Asks Union Minister Sadananda Gowda
Voting was held in Tripura on February 18 and a voter turnout of 89 per cent was recorded. In Meghalaya and Nagaland, polling was held on February 27 with a voter turnout of over 75 per cent. Also Read - BJP's Troubleshooter, NE's Most Influential Politician Himanta Biswa Sarma to Take Oath as Assam CM Today
In Meghalaya, the fight is between the Congress, BJP, National People’s Party (NPP) and the newly floated People’s Democratic Front. In 2013, the BJP had lost all 13 seats it contested with a vote share of 6.2 per cent. The NPP had won only two seats out of 32 it contested.
In Nagaland, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) chief and three-time chief minister Neiphiu Rio was declared elected unopposed. The BJP is contesting the polls in alliance with the newly-floated Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the two are contesting 20 and 40 seats respectively.
In Tripura, the contest is between the CPIM and the BJP. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told a television channel, “We will wrest Tripura from the Left Front. Our internal assessment is that we will win at least 36 to 42 seats.”