PATNA, Nov 14: The counting of votes was underway on Friday morning for 243 assembly seats in Bihar, amid tight security arrangements, officials said.

According to the Election Commission’s directions, postal ballot counting would begin first, and counting of EVMs will start at 8.30 am.

The counting of votes polled in the two-phase elections commenced at 8 am across 46 centres in 38 districts, the officials said.

The elections are being seen as a veritable referendum on Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president and the state’s longest-serving chief minister.

Political observers are also of the view that the outcome will be seen in terms of the popularity of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

The NDA’s will will affirm the perception that the BJP-led coalition has made up for the setb

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