Raipur, May 15 (IANS): The first trend for the counting of 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh to be available by 9 a.m., just an hour after the counting of votes begins at 26 centres across the state.
The contest on all 11 seats in Chhattisgarh is entirely between state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress though altogether 211 candidates are in the fray including 22 women.
"The first trend is expected by 9 a.m., just one hour after the counting of postal ballot would commence (8 a.m.) and barely half an hour after EVM vote count begins at 8.30 a.m., said a senior election official.
The BJP which is in power in the mineral-rich state since December 2003, claimed Thursday "it would make a clean sweep" while the Congress maintained "a highly improved show by the party this time".
The BJP had won 10 out of the 11 seats in 2004 as well as in 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
It has decked up its state party headquarters and fireworks have been kept stored which would light up Raipur sky for hours in evening period in case the party stages a comeback in power at the centre, party leaders said.