UP Bypolls 2024: Early Trends Show NDA Leading in 6 Seats, SP in 3—Matching Exit Poll Predictions - The voting for 9 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh took place on November 20, amidst high tension and political statements. Vote counting started at 8 AM today. The constituencies in Uttar Pradesh where voting took place include Ghaziabad, Meerapur, Karhal, Katehari, Phulpur, Khair, Kundarki, Majhawan, and Sisamau. The vote counting for the 2024 bypolls in nine Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh is currently in progress, under strict security measures. This election marks the first major political contest between the ruling BJP-led alliance and its rivals since the national elections earlier this year. As of the latest reports, the NDA is leading in 6 seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) has a lead in 3 seats. At one stage, the NDA had the lead in all 9 seats, but the SP has since gained ground. Earlier exit polls had forecasted that the BJP-led coalition would win 6 seats and the SP would take 3, and so far, the results are in line with those predictions. While the results of these bypolls won’t affect the overall composition of the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the outcome is seen as a significant battle of prestige for both the ruling BJP and the opposition parties. The nine constituencies—Meerapur, Kundarki, Sisamau, Katehari, Phulpur, Majhawan, Ghaziabad, Karhal, and Khair—were the focus of intense campaigning from major political forces like the BJP, the SP, and other regional players, highlighting the importance of this electoral clash. Live Updates on 2024 Bypoll Results: Counting Underway for Lok Sabha and Assembly Seats Across India Vote counting for 2 Lok Sabha seats—Wayanad and Nanded—as well as 46 Assembly seats across 13 states began at 8 AM. Early trends are now emerging. In Wayanad, the Congress-led UDF is hopeful for a significant win, with AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra making her first electoral appearance in a constituency once represented by her brother. In Nanded, the contest is a direct face-off between Congress's Ravindra Chavan and the BJP’s Santukrao Hambarde, following the passing of sitting Congress MP Vasant Chavan on August 26. Bypolls were held in 46 Assembly constituencies spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Karnataka on Wednesday, November 20. In Uttar Pradesh, the bypolls took place in Katehari, Karhal, Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur, and Kundarki. Voter turnout reached 49.3% across the nine seats, with Ghaziabad recording the lowest at 33%. Specific turnout rates include: Ghaziabad (33.3%), Katehari (56.9%), Khair (46.3%), Kundarki (57.7%), Karhal (54.1%), Majhawan (50.4%), Meerapur (57.1%), Phulpur (43.4%), and Sisamau (49.1%). A total of 90 candidates contested in these constituencies, with the highest number of 14 candidates in Ghaziabad. For context, the state saw an overall voter turnout of 61.03% during the 2022 Assembly elections. Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mahayuti Takes Early Lead Over MVA as Vote Counting Begins LIVE Updates: Priyanka Gandhi’s Electoral Debut in Wayanad as Vote Counting Begins Election Results 2024 LIVE: Counting Begins for Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Bypolls in 15 States