THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The much-awaited counting for the by-election to five constituencies in the state will begin at 8 am on Thursday. It is learnt that a clear idea about the result will be obtained within the first hour of counting. The election commission will announce the result officially only after counting all the VVPAT machines at the five booths in each constituency. Meanwhile, the candidates, leaders and members of all the three major fronts expressed hope of emerging victorious.

While the counting for Vattiyoorkavu will take place at Pattom St Marys HSS, counting for Konni will be at Eliyaraykal Amritha VHS. The counting for Aroor and Ernakulam constituencies will take place at NSS college and Maharajas college respectively. Paivelika Nagar Govt. High School will be the venue of counting for Manjeshwaram constituency. The counting of VVPAT machines will be under CCTV surveillance.

A total of 51 constituencies across 18 states including five in Kerala will witness counting tomorrow. Apart from this, counting will also take place for the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.