BJP Scores Comprehensive Win In Arunachal Pradesh, Wins 46 Of 60 Seats

The BJP reclaimed power in Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive term today, securing a majority with 46 seats in the 60-member assembly. Votes are still being counted for the 50 seats contested in the April 19 elections in the northeastern state. The BJP had already won 10 seats uncontested. Out of the 50 seats being counted, the BJP has won 23 and is leading in 12 others.

The counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh began today under massive security. The ruling BJP has already won 10 assembly seats unopposed.

The counting began in 24 district headquarters at 6 AM amid heavy rain across the state and the final results are expected to be out by noon, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said.

Independent candidate Wanglam Sawin won the Khonsa East assembly constituency defeating his nearest rival Kamrang Tesia of the BJP by a margin of 2,216 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.

Counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in the northeastern state began at 6 am on Sunday.

Mr Sawin had won the seat in the 2019 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket. He was denied a saffron party ticket this time and contested the elections as an independent.

Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh in the first phase of polls on April 19.

The northeastern state has 60 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats. 

The counting process would be managed by over 2,000 officials.

An estimated 82.71 per cent of voters cast their votes in the assembly polls while the turnout for the two Lok Sabha seats in the state was recorded at 77.51 per cent.

Votes polled in the two Lok Sabha seats in the state would be counted on June 4 along with the rest of the country.

The BJP had won both the Lok Sabha seats and 41 assembly constituencies in the 2019 polls. The JD (U) had won seven assembly seats, the NPP five, Congress four and the PPA one. Two Independent candidates had also emerged victorious.