India, Oct. 9 -- The counting of votes for the Nandigram by-elections is underway by the Election Commission of India. As per early trends, Hasirani Rath, the candidate fielded by the BJP is in the lead.

Nandigram, which is in West Bengal's East Midnapore, went to the polls on October 6 and saw a turnout of 80.89 per cent. The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, retained the latter.

Based on the early trends, BJP candidate Hasirani Rath is currently in the lead for the Nandigram seat, as per local sources. An official count from the poll body is yet to be announced.

As ECI counts the votes for the Nandigram bypolls, heavy security has been deployed at the counting centres....