Sunday, June 5 2005 09:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amidst tight security, counting of votes began this morning (June 5, 2005) for bypolls to one Lok Sabha and 16 Assembly seats spread over six States.

Besides the Shimoga Parliamentary constituency in Karnataka, counting is taking place for five Assembly seats in Goa, four in Uttar Pradesh, three in Haryana, two in Kerala and one each in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The outcome of bypolls in Goa, now under President's rule, is crucial as it is likely to spur efforts for formation of a popular Government in the State.

Congress and its allies have 17 MLAs and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) 14 in the Goa Assembly with an effective strength of 34.

A United Goans Democratic Party legislator is supporting the saffron party.

The fate of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is trying to enter the State Assembly from his traditional bastion Killoi, and veteran Karnataka politician S Bangarappa, will also be known today.

All the bypolls were held on June 3, 2005.