Congress was ahead, with the BJP running a close second in the Manipur assembly polls, as counting of votes progressed on Saturday. Out of 39 constituencies for which trends were available, the Congress was leading in 11, and the BJP in 9, NCP in 1 and other in 7 seats.
In the prestigious Thoubal constituency, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh defeated his nearest BJP rival Leitanthem Basanta Singh. Social activist Irom Sharmila lost with fewer than 100 votes.
Thirty companies of central forces have been deployed to guard the counting centres.
The Election Commission officials are monitoring the counting online with CCTV facilities.
Latest trends from Manipur: Congress 11, BJP 9, NCP 1 and others 7
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
