In Andhra Pradesh, the counting of votes has begun for Nellore Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly constituencies where bye-polls were held on Tuesday.

Amidst tight security arrangements, the counting has begun at almost all the 13 counting centres set up in 12 districts across the state and the postal ballots have been taken first.

Our Correspondent reports that the first result of the by-election is likely to be announced from Narsapuram in West Godavari district as it has only 12 rounds of counting where as 19 rounds of counting will have to be done at rest of the Constituencies.

All measures have been taken to hold the counting process in transparent manner with a micro observer monitoring the process at each counting table and a videographer recording the process.

For Nellore Lok Sabah seat, counting is being held at two centres as counting for Kandukur Assembly segment under is being held at Ongol in Prakasam District while the counting for remaining segments has been taken up at Nellore.

A total 255 candidates are in the bye-election fray while 80 percent of a total 46 lakh 13 thousand voters cast their ballot.

The bye-poll for Nellore was held following resignation by sitting MP while it is held for 17 Assembly constituencies following the disqualification of MLAs.

In Case of Tirupati Assembly seat, bye-poll was necessitated following resignation by Chiranjeevi after he elected for Rajya Sabha. -Lakshmi, AIR News, Hyderabad.

The counting for bye-polls is also scheduled to be held today in seven other states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal and Jharkhand. The bye-elections were also held in these states on Tuesday.

In West Bengal, counting of votes for Bankura and Daspur Assembly bye elections are being held. A spokesman of the State Election Department said that strong security measures have been made in and around of the counting centers.