Exit polls predicted a win for the BJP, which is set to be the first government to return to power in the State

Who will rule India’s most populous State? Elections to the 403-seated Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly was held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The Bharatiya Janata Party government, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which enjoys an absolute majority, is seeking another term. The Samajwadi Party, headed by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the Bahujan Samaj Party headed by Mayawati are strong contenders. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who spearheaded the campaign from Congress too hopes to put an impressive show.

View detailed map of election results here

Exit polls have predicted a second term for the BJP, albeit lesser seats and the SP finishing as the runner-up.

Here are the live updates on election results of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

11.00 a.m.

Swami Prasad Maurya trails in Fazilnagar

Swami Prasad Maurya of the Samajwadi Party was trailing by more than 5,000 votes in the Fazilnagar constituency, behind Surendra Kumar Kushwaha of the BJP.

Earlier in the year senior OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya, had quit the Yogi Adityanath government where he had held the position oof Minister for Labour, employment and coordination, to join the Samajwadi Party

Resigning from the party, Mr. Maurya had said, he had carried out his ministerial duties diligently despite “adverse circumstances” and ideological differences with the BJP.

10.50 a.m.

Yogi Adityanath leads from Gorakhpur (Urban) constituency

Latest trends show Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading from the Gorakhpur (Urban) constituency with a margin of more than 4,000 votes.

This is the first Assembly election fought by Mr. Adityanath, and has in the past represented the Lok Sabha constituency here. Mr. Adityanath is also the head of the Gorakhnath Peeth of the Nath Sampradaya.

The Samajwadi Party put up Subhavati Shukla, widow of former BJP U.P. vice president Upendra Shukla, who had contested the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat and lost it in the bypoll after Yogi Adityanath resigned the seat to become the Chief Minister. 

10.40 a.m.

BJP crosses majority mark in Uttar Pradesh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crosses majority mark in Uttar Pradesh, ECI trends show.

The party appears well-positioned to return to power in the state. No other political party has been able to achieve the feat since 1985. It is currently leading in 215 constituencies.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP), touted as one of BJP’s major opponents in the State, is leading on 89 seats.

Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is leading in five seats while the Indian National Congress (INC) is ahead in three.

10.20 a.m.

Akhilesh Yadav leads from Karhal

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav leads in Karhal constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav is facing a close contest against BJP’s Vivek Shakya in Jaswantnagar constituency.

Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet shortly before the elections to join SP, is trailing in Fazilnagar.

10.03 a.m.

BJP leads in 116 consituencies, Samajwadi party leading in 55 seats

The latest trends from the ECI show the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in 116 consituencies, while the Samajwadi party leads in 55 seats.

Akhilesh Yadav (SP) leads from the constituency of Karhal, Asim Arun (BJP) holds lead in Kannauj constituency.

Man Pal Singh (SP) leads from the Kasganj constituency.

9.55 a.m.

Counting of EVM votes at Ramabai Ambedkar counting centre for Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election results, in Lucknow on March 10, 2022
| Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA

9.30 a.m.

BJP leads in 48 seats, while Samajwadi Party holds lead in 24 constituencies

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 48 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

Anupriya Patel’s Apna Dal (Soneylal) is leading on four seats. The party is contesting the 2022 Assembly elections in UP in alliance with the BJP.

Samajwadi Party is leading in 24 constituencies so far, while its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal is ahead in two.

Both the Indian National Congress and Raghuraj Pratap Singh’s Jansatta Dal Loktantrik are leading in two constituencies.

9.10 a.m.

First trends in for Uttar Pradesh, BJP leads in Tindwari, Sandila and Nehtaur constituency

Early trends released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading on three seats in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP candidates Ramkesh Nishad and Alka Singh are leading in Tindwari and Sandila constituencies of UP respectively.

Omkumar of the BJP was leading from Nehtaur constituency

Counting of votes began at 8.00 a.m., with postal ballots being counted first.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, BJP won 312 of the 403 seats in the state. The majority mark is 202.

8.50 a.m.

As counting for 403 seats is under way in the State of Uttar Pradesh, scenes from outside the Samajwadi Party Office

8.20 a.m.

Counting begins amid tight security arrangements in U.P.

The counting of votes for the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh began on Thursday morning with a three-layer security in place and cameras installed at all centres.

“The counting in all 75 districts of the state began at 8 am with postal ballots being counted first,” a senior election official said.

VVPAT (voter-verified paper audit trail) slips of five machines will be counted in every Assembly constituency.

The official said cameras have been installed at all counting centres.

Police said 250 CAPF companies have been deployed. A CAPF company usually has around 70-80 personnel.

As many as 625 gazetted officers of the UP Police, 1,807 inspectors, 9,598 sub-inspectors, 11,627 head constables and 48,649 constables have also been deployed, the officials added.- PTI

7.30 a.m.

Counting of votes to start from 8.00 a.m.

Counting of votes for all the five States will start from 8.00 a.m., according to the Election Commission of India’s website.

7.25 a.m.

Varanasi official suspended over EVM protocol

The Election Commission of India (EC) ordered action against an “erring official” in Varanasi for not following the protocol for transporting electronic voting machines (EVM), an EC official said on Wednesday, a day after the Samajwadi Party (SP) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of sabotaging the mandate after its workers intercepted a truck carrying EVMs.

7.20 a.m.

Moods swing as the BJP and SP await U.P. poll results

On the eve of crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly election results, there’s an atmosphere of distrust and doubt in the air, with Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav raising questions over the electronic voting machines (EVM) and exhorting his party workers to be alert towards any attempts to steal the mandate.