According to the Election Commission of India, the counting of votes would begin at 8 am with postal ballots, and the result for the first round of counting is expected by 9:30.

Counting of votes cast in the high-stakes Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand will begin at 8 am today. The outcome of the polls will decide the fate of the ruling and opposition political alliances in the two states.

Axis MyIndia was the only one to predict victory for the Congress-JMM alliance in Jharkhand with 53 seats out of 81 as against only 25 for BJP-led NDA and three seats for others.

With most Exit Polls predicting a massive victory for Mahayuti, Axis My India exit poll has predicted that BJP is likely to emerge as largest party with 98 to 107 seats.