Bhopal, Mar 11 (UNI) Counting of votes polled for the byelection to the Lok Sabha from Gwalior and Sidhi constituencies and to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from Udaypura constituency in Raisen district began at 0800 hrs today.

About 42 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise in the March 8 bypoll in Gwalior, 48.87 per cent in Sidhi and 52 per cent in Udaypura.

Counting of votes polled for Gwalior began in Gwalior, Datia and Shivpuri district headquarters, for Sidhi in Sidhi district headquarters and Udaypura in Raisen district headquarters.

The counting process was progressing on a peaceful note and results were expected by afternoon.

Ruling BJP candidates and opposition Congress nominees, including state Tourism and Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, are prominent contestants. Altogether 45 candidates are trying their luck.

Since the BJP romped to power in Madhya Pradesh in December 2003, the state witnessed five assembly byelections -- with the BJP emerging victorious in four while the fifth went to the Congress.

These bypolls are crucial for both parties in view of December 2008 assembly hustings.

UNI