Erode, Feb. 8 -- The counting of votes for the Erode (East) Assembly bye-election has begun, with DMK taking an early lead.

According to the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout was recorded at 67.97 per cent.

Early counting shows DMK's Chandhirakumar. V.C leading 6756 with 7837 votes.

Security has been significantly heightened outside the counting centre. Personnel from various law enforcement agencies have been deployed to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of the vote counting process.

According to the data from Election Commission of India, the voter turnout was recorded at about 67.97 per cent. AIADMK and BJP boycotted the bye-election on February 5, which was held in response to the death of Congress lawmaker EV...