Elections LIVE: Exit polls give BJP, allies victory in Maharashtra, Haryana
Low to average voter turnout was reported in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, where the BJP is seeking a second term in power and has predicted an easy victory.
Voter turnout was 57 per cent in by-elections to 51 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states, reports news agency PTI. Uttar Pradesh reported 47.05 per cent turnout in 11 assembly seats. By-elections to five assembly constituencies in Kerala were marred by heavy rains.
7:25 PM
Karnal: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar arrives on a bicycle with his supporters to cast vote during Haryana Assembly elections, in Karnal, Monday | Photo: Twitter (PTI)
7:25 PM
Congress, NCP headed for defeat
The News18-Ipsos exit poll numbers suggest an improvement in the number of seats won by BJP in 2014 as compared to the numbers it will win in 2019. The numbers suggest a growth from 47 seats in 2014 to 75 seats in 2019. However, the Congress' numbers are likely to see a drop from 15 seats in 2014 to 10 seats this year.
7:15 PM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavi pose for photographs affer voting in Nagpur.
7:12 PM
Exit poll predicts BJP, Shiv Sena to retain Maharashtra
NDTV's 'poll of polls' predicts the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance will win 211 seats in Maharashtra, the Congress-NCP alliance 64 seats, and other parties 13. The half-way mark is 145.
7:05 PM
Exit poll predicts massive victory for BJP in Haryana
NDTV, which combined several exit polls, predicts the BJP will get 66 seats, the Congress 14, the Akalis and INLD together 2 and other parties 8 seats. That gives BJP chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar an absolute majority in the state assembly.
6:58 PM
BJP sweeping Haryana: Exit poll
News18-Ipsos exit poll predicts the BJP will win 75 seats in Haryana, Congress 10, Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janata Party 2 and other parties 3. The half-way mark in the state assembly is 46.
6:51 PM
Shiv Sena does better
News18-Ipsos exit poll predicts the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance will win 243 seats in Maharashtra. BJP will get 141 seats and Shiv Sena 102, says the poll. Shiv Sena appears to improving its tally since 2014 when it won just 63 seats.
6:44 PM
BJP returning to power in Haryana
The BJP is predicted to win 66 seats in Haryana. The Congress 14, INLD-Akali get 2 seats together, says the poll of polls. Haryana voted for 90 seats--the half-way mark is 46 seats.
6:44 PM
BJP, Shiv Sena to win Maharashtra: Exit poll
NDTV's poll of polls predict BJP and Shiv Sena will win 211 seats in Maharashtra. Congress, NCP alliance gets 64 seats. Maharashtra voted for 288 seats and the majority mark is 145.
6:37 PM
BJP, allies set to return to power: TV exit polls
Most TV exit polls predict comfortable victories for the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra and Haryana.
6:33 PM
First exit polls give BJP, NCP clear victory in Maharashtra
India Today-Axis My India exit polls gives 166-194 seats to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra. Congress-NCP gets 72-90 seats. Elections were held for 288 seats and the half-way mark is 145
6:22 PM
TV exit polls
First TV exit polls on the elections to be out soon.
6:01 PM
Voting ends in Maharashtra and Haryana.
5:47 PM
44.6% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in Maharashtra, in Haryana it's 53.7%: TV news channel NDTV.
Low to average voter turnout was reported as assembly elections closed in Maharashtra and Haryana, where the BJP is seeking a second term in power and has predicted an easy victory. The Congress, which was routed in the Lok Sabha election, is in disarray in both states. Its ally in Maharashtra, Sharad Paward's Nationalist Congress Party, is struggling too. For Maharashtra's 288 seats, the BJP has continued its alliance with Shiv Sena. Uttar Pradesh voting for by-elections in 11 seats, leading to analysts calling it a mini-assembly elctions. Bypolls are being held in 53 seats across 17 states and one union territory. Votes will be counted on Thursday.
 "Elections LIVE: Exit polls give BJP, allies victory in Maharashtra, Haryana")
