<p>Counting of votes began on Tuesday in four assembly constituencies of Manipur, where by- elections were held last week, officials said.</p>.<p>Covid-19 safety protocols are being followed in the counting centres where the administration has put in place tight security arrangements.</p>.<p>Counting started at 8 am at Lilong, Wangjing-Tentha, Saitu and Wangoi constituencies.</p>.<p>The by-polls held on November 7 were necessitated after Congress MLAs of these four seats resigned from the assembly and joined the ruling BJP.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP has contested in three seats and supported an independent candidate in Lilong, while the Congress has fielded its nominees in all the four constituencies.</p>.<p>In Wangoi seat, the National People's Party (NPP), a partner of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state, has fielded its candidate against the Congress and the saffron party.</p>.<p>The Congress, which had won a total of 28 seats to emerge as the single largest party in the 60-member Manipur assembly after the 2017 polls, has seen members deserting the party from time to time. The state now has a BJP-led government.</p>
<p>Counting of votes began on Tuesday in four assembly constituencies of Manipur, where by- elections were held last week, officials said.</p>.<p>Covid-19 safety protocols are being followed in the counting centres where the administration has put in place tight security arrangements.</p>.<p>Counting started at 8 am at Lilong, Wangjing-Tentha, Saitu and Wangoi constituencies.</p>.<p>The by-polls held on November 7 were necessitated after Congress MLAs of these four seats resigned from the assembly and joined the ruling BJP.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP has contested in three seats and supported an independent candidate in Lilong, while the Congress has fielded its nominees in all the four constituencies.</p>.<p>In Wangoi seat, the National People's Party (NPP), a partner of the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state, has fielded its candidate against the Congress and the saffron party.</p>.<p>The Congress, which had won a total of 28 seats to emerge as the single largest party in the 60-member Manipur assembly after the 2017 polls, has seen members deserting the party from time to time. The state now has a BJP-led government.</p>