From correspondents in Himachal Pradesh, India, 09:30 AM IST

The counting of votes polled for the Lok Sabha elections began in Himachal Pradesh Saturday morning, a poll official said.

The counting began at 8 a.m. simultaneously at 25 centres in the four Lok Sabha constituencies of the state.

'The first result is expected by 11 a.m. More than 1,000 people are involved in the counting process. The Election Commission has sent 24 observers to monitor the exercise,' state chief electoral officer Anil Khachi told IANS.

Over 59 percent of the state's total electorate had cast their ballots in the May 13 election.

The fate of 31 candidates, including nine independents, will be decided Saturday. The main contest is between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

(Staff Writer, © IANS)