The BJP-led NDA appears to be leading the opposition's INDIA alliance in a number of constituencies as the postal ballot counting gets underway.
Note that only postal ballots are being considered and that these are preliminary trends.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are among the senior BJP leaders in the contest, while key opposition leaders include Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party boss Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.