Counting of votes is underway for by-elections to 18 assembly seats spread over four states.

The 18 seats includes 10 seats in Bihar, three each in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, and two in Punjab. Polling for these seats were held on Thursday.

The by-elections in the four states is important to both the BJP and Congress led-United Progressive Alliance, UPA because the both hope to maintain political momentum.

In Punjab, Congress candidate Preneet Kaur has won from Patiala Vidhan Sabha by-election with a margin of 23,282 votes.

In Talwandi Sabo, Shrimani Akali Dal candidate Jeet Mahinder Singh is leading by more than 16,000 votes. Polling for these two constituencies was conducted on the 21st of this month.